In what appears to be the biggest mass-shooting in US history, at least 50 people were killed and over 200 injured after a gunman opened fire at a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In what appears to be the biggest mass-shooting in US history, at least 50 people were killed and over 200 injured after a gunman opened fire at a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The incident took place on Sunday at the Las Vegas Strip when the gunman, standing from the 32nd floor of a hotel, opened fire for several minutes before he was shot dead by the police.
Thousands of panicked people fled the scene, in some cases trampling one another as law enforcement officers scrambled to locate and kill the gunman. Shocked concertgoers, some with blood on their clothes, wandered the streets after the attack.
While many tried to escape into safer havens, Las Vegas’ Caesar’s Palace, the gambling town’s biggest casino, along with other famous gambling spots, locked their doors from inside. "Caesar's Palace had locked their doors. They wouldn't let you in," said Adam Mitchell, a 31-year-old tourist visiting from Britain.
Many casinos in the area locked their doors during the incident to keep out any potential attackers, some using handcuffs to do so, witnesses said.
Singer Jason Aldean, who was one of the main attractions in the concert, shared a post on Instagram. “Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still dont know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that Me and my Crew are safe. My Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night. #heartbroken #stopthehate,” he wrote.
Police identified the gunman as area resident Stephen Paddock, 64, and said they had no information yet about his motive.
He was not believed to be connected to any militant group, Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told reporters.
"We have no idea what his belief system was," Lombardo said. "We've located numerous firearms within the room that he occupied."
Authorities believed they had located Paddock's roommate, who they identified as Marilou Danley. He gave no details of whether she was suspected of involvement in the attack but described her as an "associate."
Police had located two cars that belonged to the suspect.
The dead included one off-duty police officer, while at least one other officer was critically injured, Lombardo said. Police warned the death toll may rise.
'JUST KEPT GOING ON'
Video taken of the attack showed panicked crowds fleeing as sustained rapid gunfire ripped through the area.
"It sounded like fireworks. People were just dropping to the ground. It just kept going on," said Steve Smith, a 45-year-old visitor from Phoenix, Arizona, who had flown in for the concert. He said the gunfire went on for an extended period of time.
"Probably 100 shots at a time. It would sound like it was reloading and then it would go again," Smith said. "People were shot and trying to get out. A lot of people were shot."
Las Vegas's casinos, nightclubs and shopping draw some 3.5 million visitors from around the world each year and the area was packed with visitors when the shooting broke out shortly after 10 p.m. local time (0400 GMT).
Mike McGarry, a 53-year-old financial adviser from Philadelphia, was at the concert when he heard hundreds of shots ring out.
"It was crazy - I laid on top of the kids. They're 20. I'm 53. I lived a good life," McGarry said. The back of his shirt bore footmarks, after people ran over him in the panicked crowd.
With Reuters inputs
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "reuters")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}