According to NBC News, shots were fired at an open-air concert from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel. Hundreds of bullets were discharged into the crowd of more than 20,000 using an automatic weapon. The shooter has been identified as 64-year old Stephen Craig Paddock who is from Nevada. According to local authorities, Stephen Paddock was found dead in his hotel room after gaining an access using a controlled explosion. The police further added that the suspect was found with ten rifles in the room with him. “We have no investigative information or background associated with this individual.
We believe that the individual killed himself prior to our entry,” Sheriff Jason Lombardo of Clark County said during an interview. According to the Independent, the recent attack is considered to be the deadliest mass shooting in entire US history.
The shootings are believed to be not connected to international terrorism
In a report released by Associated Press, the Islamic State claimed that the shooter has converted to Islam months ago. ISIS has released similar vague claims of responsibility for the recent attacks in the United States and Europe. The intelligence and law enforcement said that they are aware of the ISIS claim but they still insisted that the attacker has no connection to any international terrorism like ISIS.
The Islamic State’s statement offered no proof of a link between Paddock and ISIS, nor did it identify him by name. They further added that the weapons found in his room are not the kind of weapons that a terrorist would normally use. As of the moment, authorities have still not articulated the attacker’s motive of the shooting.
The suspect’s roommate named Marilou Danley was located on their home in Mesquite and was called for an investigation. Sheriff Lombardo said in an interview that they cannot find any evidence of Danley's involvement with the shooting.
President Trump is going to Las Vegas this Wednesday
The President is scheduled to travel to Puerto Rico to visit “Hurricane Irma” victims before going to Las Vegas to meet with the families of victims and first responders.
"My fellow Americans we are joined together today in sadness, shock, and grief," US President Trump said in opening remarks about the mass shooting "It was an act of pure evil," according to him. The President closed his speech by sending his prayers to the victims and their families. The US President has also tweeted his grief and condolences earlier Monday.
My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2017