‘America is a Nation in Mourning’, Trump Says in Las Vegas
The gunman, identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, killed himself after the attack.
advertisement
At least 59 people were killed in Las Vegas after a gunman opened fire at an outdoor concert crowd in the Mandalay Bay Casino area. The attack, touted to be one of the deadliest mass shootings in the US, also left more than 400 people injured. The gunman, identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, killed himself before security forces could enter his hotel room.
Catch live updates on The Quint.
- At least 59 people were killed and over 400 injured after a gunman opened fire at a concert crowd in Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Casino Area
- The gunman, identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, killed himself following the attack
- The attack has drawn wide condemnation, with POTUS Donald Trump calling it an “act of pure evil”
- ISIS had claimed responsibility for the attack, but US officials said there was no evidence that the shooter was tied to any international militant group
- The police said the gunman meticulously planned the event, spent decades acquiring weapons and lived a secret life
Trump Visits Las Vegas, Says America is 'a Nation in Mourning'
A somber President Donald Trump visited Las Vegas on Wednesday to express the sorrow and shock felt by a nation reeling from the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, telling those whose loved ones died, "You're not alone."
Sunday night's attack by a gunman "fills America’s heart with grief," Trump said. "America is truly a nation in mourning."
Trump's remarks came at the end of a visit to the city during which the president and first lady Melania Trump met with survivors of the shooting spree, doctors, law enforcement officers and other first responders.
Speaking at the Las Vegas Police Department's command center, Trump addressed those grieving over the loss of loved ones in the attack.
At a hospital, however, Trump deflected a question about whether the United States has a problem with gun violence.
"We're not going to talk about that today," he said.
Shooter Spent Decades Acquiring Weapons, Lived Secret Life
The gunman responsible for the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history meticulously planned the event and spent decades acquiring weapons, while he lived a secret life, Las Vegas police said on Wednesday.
Clark County sheriff Joseph Lombardo told reporters that he found it hard to believe that the arsenal of weapons, ammunition and explosives recovered by police in their investigation could have been assembled by Paddock completely on his own.
"You have to make an assumption that he had some help at some point," Lombardo said at a news briefing. Lombardo said the attack was the obvious outcome of meticulous planning.
Police also said that 317 of the 489 people injured in the Las Vegas shooting have been discharged from hospitals.
Paddok a "Caring, Quiet Man": Girlfriend
In her statement, Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock’s girlfriend Marilou Danley said she had no idea about Paddock’s plans. She also described him as a “caring, quiet man.”
Stephen Paddok's Girlfriend Questioned
The FBI questioned the girlfriend of the gunman who slaughtered 59 concertgoers in Las Vegas, hoping to discover what motivated Stephen Paddock to open fire on a country music festival in the deadliest mass shooting in recent U.S. history.
Marilou Danley, who returned to the United States late on Tuesday, is a "person of interest" in the investigation, Las Vegas police have said. Her relatives in the Philippines told reporters she had a "clean conscience" and no prior knowledge of the attack.
"He manipulated her to be completely as far away from this and safe when he did this," Eric Paddock said on Tuesday.
She arrived in Manila on Sept. 15, flew to Hong Kong on Sept. 22 and returned to Manila on Sept. 25. She was there until she flew to Los Angeles on Tuesday night, according to a Philippine immigration official.
More Explosives Recovered
Twenty-three firearms were recovered from Paddock’s hotel room, as police have reported according to local media.
Explosives Retrieved From House in Mesquite
Las Vegas Sheriff told Reuters that 19 additional firearms and explosives have been retrieved from a house in Mesquite.
Homicide Investigation
The Las Vegas shooting is now being investigated as an act of homicide.
Gun Stock Shoots Up
In the immediate aftermath of the Las Vegas massacre, the gun stock price rose on Monday. According to analysts, fears of tighter regulation boosted the gun sales.
A similar rise was seen during Obama’s presidency, given that he was a vocal critic of gun laws, which changed after the election of Trump.
Premature to Discuss Gun Control After Las Vegas Shooting: White House
The White House said on Monday it was premature to discuss policies on gun control less than a day after a gunman killed at least 58 people and wounded more than 500 at a Las Vegas country music festival.
"Today is a day for consoling the survivors and mourning those we lost," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters at a news briefing. "It would be premature for us to discuss policy when we don't fully know all the facts or what took place last night."
Condolences Pour in
A number of celebrities took to social media to condemn the attack and express grief.
Act of Pure Evil: POTUS Trump
President Donald Trump called the attack an act of “pure evil”. He said he would visit Las Vegas on Wednesday to assess the situation and that he would meet first responders.
Putin Offers Condolences
Russia's Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram with condolences to Trump over the Las Vegas shooting.
Chilling Visuals From Site of Shooting
No Evidence Shooter Linked to ISIS, Say US Officials
CIA said the agency is aware of ISIS’ claim of responsibility for the shooting, but advises caution on jumping to conclusions. An FBI special agent also said 'no connection' has been found between the shooter and an international terrorist group.
Senior US officials earlier said there was no evidence that the shooter was tied to any international militant group, though one official said security agencies were examining ISIS’ claim of responsibility.
One US official said there was reason to believe that the shooter had a history of psychological problems.
Shooter Converted to Islam Months Ago
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a shooting that killed at least 50 people and wounded over 400 in Las Vegas early on Monday, and said the attacker had converted to Islam a few months ago.
"The Las Vegas attack was carried out by a soldier of the Islamic State and he carried it out in response to calls to target states of the coalition," the group's news agency Amaq said in reference to the US-led coalition fighting the group in the Middle East.
"The Las Vegas attacker converted to Islam a few months ago," Amaq added.
A senior US official, however, discounted ISIS’ claim of responsibility.
No Indians Among Those Affected, Reports MEA
No reports have been received of any Indian nationals amongst those affected in the Las Vegas shooting incident, said the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson .
Las Vegas Shooter Killed Himself Before Cops Arrived
The Las Vegas shooter reportedly killed himself before police arrived. He had over 10 guns, says the Las Vegas sheriff. The shooter is believed to have checked into the hotel room last Thursday. According to police, at least 406 people have been transported to hospitals nearby for treatment.
President Donald Trump Condemns Attack
President Donald Trump took to Twitter to condemn the attack.
Death Toll Rises to 50
At least 50 people have been killed in the Las Vegas shooting, says police sheriff. The Nevada sheriff has identified Vegas resident Stephen Paddock as the man suspected of opening fire on the concert. The Sheriff also said a female person of interest in the deadly shooting has been located.
Authorities believe Danley is Paddock's roommate. The Sheriff gave no details of whether she was suspected of involvement in the attack but described her as an "associate."
UK PM Theresa May Condemns Attack
Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday that Britain's thoughts were with the victims of what she called an "appalling attack" in Las Vegas.
Suspect Not Related to Militant Outfit
The lone suspect in the Las Vegas attack is not believed to be linked with any militant or terror outfit, the Police Sheriff stated.
Over 20 Dead, 100 Injured
More than 20 people have died and 100 have been injured in the shooting at the Las Vegas’ strip Police Sheriff was quoted saying.
The shooter shot from the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay and was identified as a local resident. Police are now searching for a female companion who traveled with the suspect before the shooting took place.
"No More Shooters Currently"
14 Critically Wounded
Two people have died due to the gunshot wounds, Of the 24 injured people taken to the hospital, 14 of them are critically injured after getting shot at in Mandalay Bay by an active shooter.
One Suspect Down, Police Investigate Other Venues
Police have shot one suspect from the shooting.
The Las Vegas police is investigating reports of shooting at other venues on the strip, as New York Times reported.
Flights Halted at McCaran International Airport
Multiple People Injured
At least two people died early on Monday and 24 were hospitalised with suspected gunshots wounds in Las Vegas, a local hospital spokesman said, as police investigated reports of an active shooter in the city.
The reports emanated from the Mandalay Bay Casino on the city's famous strip.
One Twitter user posted that the hotel was on lockdown, while another, citing police scanners, said two gunmen who had shot at a bodyguard and police were on the 32nd floor of the hotel.
Shooting at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay
Las Vegas police said early on Monday they were investigating reports of an active shooter at the Mandalay Bay Casino on the city's famous strip.
One Twitter user posted that the hotel was on lockdown, while another, citing police scanners, posted there were two shooters on the 32nd floor of the hotel who had shot at a bodyguard and police. Authorities could not be reached to confirm those details.
The shooting reportedly took place at the outdoor Route 91 music concert and multiple people were shot.
Gunshots Heard
People have started posting videos of the shooting from their hotel rooms.
(With inputs from Reuters)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)