Credit: @NBCNews
By: Travis Farmer
At approximately 10:08 PM in Las Vegas, Nevada, a shooter began firing from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino at the Route 91 Harvest Festival while Jason Aldean was performing. The suspect, who has now been identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, is a resident local to the area. The shooting came from an automatic weapon firing down upon the concert. While it is far too early to estimate the death totals accurately, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo stated that they are looking at excess of 50 dead and over 400 injured and sent to the hospital.
Police officers were able to locate the room Paddock was in based on the muzzle flash coming from the hotel. Using this, officers were able to breach the room that Paddock was in and neutralize the threat. Once the room was breached, it became clear that the room was filled with several different firearms. With Paddock neutralized, officers and Lombardo were confident in saying that there was no longer a threat or any danger. After the shooting, officers swept the various floors of the hotel, going door-to-door confirming the names of all the residents.
Lombardo said during a press briefing several hours after the shooting that while they do not yet know the background of Stephen Paddock, they are currently issuing a warrant on his personal residence. Earlier in the evening, police forces were also looking for two vehicles and a person of interest that was travelling with Paddock, Marilou Danley. However, in an updated press conference, Lombardo said that they did have the two vehicles and had gotten in touch with Danley.
Lombardo also dispelled misinformation regarding the event, especially the rumors of there being multiple shooters and explosives being detonated at other casinos. The only explosive that was set off in the area of the Mandalay Bay was the charge that LVMPD personnel used to breach the door to Paddock’s room.
Among the victims, Lombardo also noted that some off-duty police officers were also victims. At least one has passed away form injuries and another is in critical, but stable condition. Lombardo also called for anybody with cell phone video footage of the incident to bring it to the police to use as evidence.
The Red Cross has set up in the police department to take phone calls from friends and family wanting to check on the status of their loved ones that may have been at the concert. This number is 1-866-535-5654. In addition to calling, Lombardo also called on the public to donate blood to assist the victims. If anybody is interested in donating blood, more information can be found at Red Cross Blood and One Blood
Because the shooting occurred at a country music show, many celebrities tweeted out their thoughts about the event. Jason Aldean, who was preforming when the shooting began, posted on his Instagram account, “It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night.”
Teller, one half of the famous Las Vegas duo Penn & Teller also tweeted, “A dreadful shooting incident took place tonight in Vegas. All of us with the P&T show are healthy and unharmed.”
After the shooting, the Las Vegas Strip was closed down and the Mandalay Bay was placed on lockdown. The freeways were closed down soon after the shooting as well and didn’t open again until 5:14 AM. Even after the freeways re-opened, several of the off ramps around the area remained closed. McCarren International Airport also temporarily cancelled all flights and delays continue.
For context, Nevada has relatively relaxed gun control laws. Sheriff Lombardo joined the Las Vegas Sun editorial board to call for stricter gun control legislation within his jurisdiction.
Updates on this tragedy will continue to be posted and shared throughout the day. The hearts of Saint Leo University and the Lions’ Pride Newspaper staff go out to the victims of this senseless tragedy and their families.
