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Las Vegas shooting: death toll hits 59 as firearm stockpile found at suspect's home – live updates Las Vegas shooting: death toll hits 59 as firearm stockpile found at suspect's home – live updates
(35 minutes later)
2.57am BST
02:57
“Those conversion kits are out there in society”
Here’s Thomas Ahern, a former agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, on the gunman’s potential use of an automatic , or converted near-automatic weapon, which he described as a “weapon of war”.
Earlier reports, from firearms expert Massad Ayoob, raised the possibility that Paddock had fitted his gun with a special device to fire at a rate “faster than almost any human being is able to pull a trigger”.
Ahoob said he may have fitted a semi-automatic gun with a “Hellfire or a bump-fire device”, which are legal to obtain.
Speaking to Associated Press, Ahern then talked through how this process of conversion may have worked:
“There are ways that a semi-automatic can be converted to a fully automatic rifle and fire like a machine gun. That’s through a mechanism called an auto sear. In this conversion kit is a metal piece that is dropped into the trigger mechanism of the gun that converts the gun from firing semi-automatic to fully automatic. Those conversion kits are out there in society.”
2.46am BST
02:46
Eleanor Ainge Roy
The Guardian’s New Zealand correspondent Eleanor Ainge Roy has this on Prime Minister Bill English’s response to the mass shooting:
The New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English has offered his condolences to the people of the United States in the wake of the Las Vegas massacre.
“The thoughts of New Zealanders are with the victims and their families affected by this senseless tragedy,” Mr English said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are also with the first responders and the emergency services for their selflessness and heroism in carrying out their duties in the wake of such horror.”
“Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerry Brownlee has also written to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Governor of Nevada Brian Sandoval to convey New Zealand’s condolences.”
The New Zealand Consulate-General in Los Angeles is in contact with the local authorities and there is no indication at this stage that any New Zealanders have been caught up in the incident.
2.37am BST
02:37
Huge arsenal of guns and explosives continues to grow
Naaman Zhou here, taking over our live coverage of the Las Vegas shooting. In roughly half an hour (7pm local time) there will be a press conference from law enforcement with more details on the unfolding investigation.
Meanwhile, information about the size of the suspected shooter’s arsenal is slowly trickling out. Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told press earlier they discovered 18 firearms after a raid on Paddock’s Mesquite home – effectively doubling his arsenal after at least 17 guns were found in his hotel room in Las Vegas.
We’re now looking at more than 35 guns, explosives and “several thousand rounds” of ammunition, as well as reports from experts that he may have also obtained a special mechanism to fire at near-automatic speeds.
Here’s Lombardo’s full summary of the Mesquite discovery:
“We retrieved an excess of 18 additional firearms. Some explosives and several thousand rounds of ammo, along with some electronic devices we are evaluating at this point.”
Updated
at 2.43am BST
2.09am BST2.09am BST
02:0902:09
The latestThe latest
A gunman opened fire at an outdoor music festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel and casino on the Las Vegas strip.A gunman opened fire at an outdoor music festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel and casino on the Las Vegas strip.
At least 59 people were killed in the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.At least 59 people were killed in the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.
At least 527 people were also injured in the attack, and relatives were continuing to search for their loved ones Monday evening.At least 527 people were also injured in the attack, and relatives were continuing to search for their loved ones Monday evening.
The victims who have been identified included a nurse, local government workers, a student and an off-duty officer.The victims who have been identified included a nurse, local government workers, a student and an off-duty officer.
Police have named Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old from Mesquite, Nevada as the gunman.Police have named Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old from Mesquite, Nevada as the gunman.
The suspect’s girlfriend was named as a person of interest, but police said Paddock acted alone and that authorities would interview the woman after she returned from a trip in Tokyo.The suspect’s girlfriend was named as a person of interest, but police said Paddock acted alone and that authorities would interview the woman after she returned from a trip in Tokyo.
The gunman’s brother expressed horror and shock, saying of Paddock: “No religious affiliation, no political affiliation, he just hung out.”The gunman’s brother expressed horror and shock, saying of Paddock: “No religious affiliation, no political affiliation, he just hung out.”
Police found at least 17 guns in the hotel room of the suspect, along with other weapons in two of his properties and his vehicle.Police found at least 17 guns in the hotel room of the suspect, along with other weapons in two of his properties and his vehicle.
Officials have said they have not uncovered any information related to a possible motive.Officials have said they have not uncovered any information related to a possible motive.
The shooter may have been using a fully automatic weapon or may have attached a device to a semi-automatic gun to make it fire at a more rapid pace.The shooter may have been using a fully automatic weapon or may have attached a device to a semi-automatic gun to make it fire at a more rapid pace.
President Donald Trump said he would visit Las Vegas on Wednesday and called the shooting “an act of pure evil”.President Donald Trump said he would visit Las Vegas on Wednesday and called the shooting “an act of pure evil”.
Hoaxes and fake news spread rapidly online, in some cases with boosts from Facebook and Google algorithms.Hoaxes and fake news spread rapidly online, in some cases with boosts from Facebook and Google algorithms.
1.52am BST1.52am BST
01:5201:52
Guardian writer Andrew Gumbel has written about comparisons to the first modern mass shooting in the US in 1966 when a gunman fired from an observation deck on the 28th floor in Texas:Guardian writer Andrew Gumbel has written about comparisons to the first modern mass shooting in the US in 1966 when a gunman fired from an observation deck on the 28th floor in Texas:
The carnage in Las Vegas on Sunday may be the worst mass shooting in American history, but this is not the first time that a lone gunman has fired indiscriminately on a crowd from above.The carnage in Las Vegas on Sunday may be the worst mass shooting in American history, but this is not the first time that a lone gunman has fired indiscriminately on a crowd from above.
To many in law enforcement who have studied mass killings, the rampage on the Vegas Strip immediately recalled the first mass shooting of the modern era, in which a 25-year-old ex-marine enrolled at the University of Texas rained fire from the 28th-floor observation deck of a clock tower on campus on 1 August 1966.To many in law enforcement who have studied mass killings, the rampage on the Vegas Strip immediately recalled the first mass shooting of the modern era, in which a 25-year-old ex-marine enrolled at the University of Texas rained fire from the 28th-floor observation deck of a clock tower on campus on 1 August 1966.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
1.43am BST1.43am BST
01:4301:43
Tom PhillipsTom Phillips
The Guardian’s Beijing bureau chief Tom Phillips has an update on Chinese president Xi Jinping’s response to the mass shooting:The Guardian’s Beijing bureau chief Tom Phillips has an update on Chinese president Xi Jinping’s response to the mass shooting:
Chinese president Xi Jinping has sent his condolences to Donald Trump over the Las Vegas shooting, according to China’s official news agency Xinhua.Xinhua said Xi “extended deep sympathy to the US government and people, profound condolences to the victims, and sincere solicitude to those wounded”. Xi lamented how the shooting had caused “heavy casualties” and also “wished a quick recovery of the injured”.Chinese president Xi Jinping has sent his condolences to Donald Trump over the Las Vegas shooting, according to China’s official news agency Xinhua.Xinhua said Xi “extended deep sympathy to the US government and people, profound condolences to the victims, and sincere solicitude to those wounded”. Xi lamented how the shooting had caused “heavy casualties” and also “wished a quick recovery of the injured”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.44am BSTat 1.44am BST
1.38am BST1.38am BST
01:3801:38
Las Vegas police have released a new phone number for families searching for loved ones:Las Vegas police have released a new phone number for families searching for loved ones:
This number has been changed to 1-800-536-9488. Families can call this number to report your loved one missing. https://t.co/t1kipg7QdrThis number has been changed to 1-800-536-9488. Families can call this number to report your loved one missing. https://t.co/t1kipg7Qdr
The FBI has also put out new information for witnesses and survivors:The FBI has also put out new information for witnesses and survivors:
#FBI Victim Services Division is seeking victims of the Harvest Music Festival shooting. Please see link below:https://t.co/PcNYMzN4Zk pic.twitter.com/SId53BqO0D#FBI Victim Services Division is seeking victims of the Harvest Music Festival shooting. Please see link below:https://t.co/PcNYMzN4Zk pic.twitter.com/SId53BqO0D
1.19am BST1.19am BST
01:1901:19
Swat team at suspect's Reno homeSwat team at suspect's Reno home
Police have gathered outside a Reno, Nevada home owned by Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock. From the Associated Press on the scene:Police have gathered outside a Reno, Nevada home owned by Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock. From the Associated Press on the scene:
A dozen officers carrying rifles were at the house in an upscale neighborhood near the state line with California on Monday afternoon. They closed a two-block stretch around the house in a neighborhood that has a community clubhouse with a tennis court and a billiard room.A dozen officers carrying rifles were at the house in an upscale neighborhood near the state line with California on Monday afternoon. They closed a two-block stretch around the house in a neighborhood that has a community clubhouse with a tennis court and a billiard room.
Three Swat team trucks and a bomb squad truck accompanied police.Three Swat team trucks and a bomb squad truck accompanied police.
Scene in Reno. #LasVegasShooting #RJnow pic.twitter.com/iW1BMY34G0Scene in Reno. #LasVegasShooting #RJnow pic.twitter.com/iW1BMY34G0
Police have already found dozens of weapons at the suspect’s hotel room, his home in Mesquite and in his car.Police have already found dozens of weapons at the suspect’s hotel room, his home in Mesquite and in his car.
In Reno, neighbor Dee McKay told the AP she last saw Paddock in June. She said the gunman was a professional gambler and that the home’s garage had a safe the size of a refrigerator.In Reno, neighbor Dee McKay told the AP she last saw Paddock in June. She said the gunman was a professional gambler and that the home’s garage had a safe the size of a refrigerator.
1.06am BST1.06am BST
01:0601:06
Tributes around the globeTributes around the globe
The Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building have both gone dark to pay tribute to Las Vegas:The Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building have both gone dark to pay tribute to Las Vegas:
Tonight, from midnight, I will turn my lights off to pay tribute to the victims of the Marseille and Las Vegas attacks. #EiffelTower pic.twitter.com/hf42A2Nu76Tonight, from midnight, I will turn my lights off to pay tribute to the victims of the Marseille and Las Vegas attacks. #EiffelTower pic.twitter.com/hf42A2Nu76
Tonight our lights darken for the victims & those affected by the Las Vegas attack, w/an orange halo effect shining a light on gun violence. pic.twitter.com/96gpsrQDaDTonight our lights darken for the victims & those affected by the Las Vegas attack, w/an orange halo effect shining a light on gun violence. pic.twitter.com/96gpsrQDaD
And some images at a vigil in Las Vegas, which is happening now::And some images at a vigil in Las Vegas, which is happening now::
#VegasStrong pic.twitter.com/pa21FsU0K0#VegasStrong pic.twitter.com/pa21FsU0K0
.@mayoroflasvegas, @repdinatitus, faith leaders and officials are gathering with the community at 5pm to #PrayForLasVegas #VegasStronf pic.twitter.com/GcqUTh4dg7.@mayoroflasvegas, @repdinatitus, faith leaders and officials are gathering with the community at 5pm to #PrayForLasVegas #VegasStronf pic.twitter.com/GcqUTh4dg7
Lots of #nved folks, @AaronDFordNV here in front of @CityOfLasVegas for vigil pic.twitter.com/M3RZBgHuD6Lots of #nved folks, @AaronDFordNV here in front of @CityOfLasVegas for vigil pic.twitter.com/M3RZBgHuD6
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.06am BSTat 1.06am BST
12.57am BST12.57am BST
00:5700:57
Here is footage from the sheriff’s latest update on the casualties and ongoing investigation. The next update from his office is expected at 7pm local time.Here is footage from the sheriff’s latest update on the casualties and ongoing investigation. The next update from his office is expected at 7pm local time.
12.43am BST
00:43
Here’s a detailed timeline of the shooting and aftermath from Guardian reporters Dan Hernandez and David Smith:
Just after 10pm: Rapid fire rings out. At first, few realise the extent of the unfolding horror, assuming the sounds are part of the show. But as bullets continue to rain down, the music stops and Aldean rushes off stage. “He literally dropped his guitar, threw it down and sprinted to the side,” said witness. Brian Claypool.
Read the full account here:
12.32am BST
00:32
Some updates on the ongoing donation efforts to support victims, including one GoFundMe page that has raised more than $1.6m towards a $2m goal:
From presser: lines to donate blood at 6+ hrs. Metro “overwhelmed” by food/water donations @ convention ctr. $1.2M in gofundme #vegasstrong
GoFundMe page passes $1.6 million mark, 20,000+ donations on way to $2M goal for victims of Las Vegas shooting.https://t.co/7zBdQSWQvb pic.twitter.com/5cdi8MXtmZ
.@Raiders & @NFLFoundation total $100,000 donation toward relief for those affected by Las Vegas Strip shooting https://t.co/nczsfsUBw7
12.20am BST
00:20
More victims identified
Officials and relatives have continued to identify more of the 59 people who died in the shooting. Angie Gomez, a former high school cheerleader, was one of the victims, her former school in California announced:
Angie Gomez, grad of Calif.'s Riverside Polytechnic HS, identified as one of 59 killed in Las Vegas Strip Shooting https://t.co/oTRhfD5Ozy
Angie Gomez was an ex-high school cheerleader. “My heart is in shambles and none of this feels real,” friend tweeted https://t.co/IE5T4b3TAQ pic.twitter.com/OXpUuuXv25
An off-duty Las Vegas police officer and military veteran named Charleston Hartfield has also been identified:
1 off-duty Metro cop killed: Charleston Hartfield, 34. 2nd off-duty cop shot in neck, shoulder. Serious but stable: https://t.co/BriduKsLjt
Charleston Hartfield, 34, was an off-duty Las Vegas police officer, youth football coach, and military veteran. https://t.co/zWVpk32vDO pic.twitter.com/bgVXTORUNt
Read more about the victims here.
12.02am BST
00:02
The latest
There were few significant updates at the latest press conference from law enforcement. Officials say the next update is scheduled for around 7pm local time. Here’s a summary of the latest announcements:
A total of 59 people have died, not including the suspect, and 527 people have been injured.
Police said authorities found several pounds of ammonium nitrate, a material used to make explosives, in the suspect’s car.
At least 17 guns were found in the hotel room of the shooter.
The shooter is believed to have fired roughly 500 yards from his hotel room to the site of the concert.
The suspect had a girlfriend, who is currently in Tokyo, according to police, who are continuing to investigate her and plan to meet with her when she returns.
Police are preparing to raid another property of the suspect in Reno, Nevada.
Authorities still have no information to share about a possible motive for the shooting.
Several gun dealers have come forward and said they sold weapons to the suspect, who reportedly passed background checks.
The suspect may have attended another music festival in Las Vegas one week ago.
11.48pm BST
23:48
Sandy Hook Promise, a group formed by several family members of the victims of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, have released a statement expressing frustration at the “cyclical” gun control debate and calling for action:
Over the past five years, we have witnessed how we generally respond (or don’t) as a country to mass shootings like Las Vegas. It’s usually a cyclical conversation, starting with debate between banning assault weapons or arming more Americans, moving then to a focus on mental illness and “good guys vs bad guys” and finally to policy proposals that may relate directly to what occurred, but possibly not, and no federal legislation changes will pass. By the end of next week this story will be almost gone as if it never happened, even while those most impacted are still reeling from shock and grief.
We are asking Americans, in the name of these victims and to protect those still living, do something – let’s move from rhetoric and focusing on just “the gun” to more focus on “the shooter” and steps we can be taking as a country to identify and stop them before it’s too late.
"We are asking Americans, in the name of these victims and to protect those still living, do something." https://t.co/FqrxSoujIA #LasVegas
11.38pm BST
23:38
Sheriff Joe Lombardo told reporters that the suspect shot through a doorway and struck a hotel security guard in the leg. The shooter also had fertilizer and ammonium nitrate in his car at the casino, he said.
A swat team is also preparing to enter the suspect’s home in Reno shortly.
Lombardo said he didn’t have much information to share about the suspect, but that he appeared to be “reclusive”. The sheriff said it’s possible that the gunman attended a three-day music festival called Life is Beautiful in downtown Las Vegas one week ago.
11.27pm BST
23:27
Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman, speaking at the press conference, has said that first responders saved thousands of lives by acting quickly and getting to the scene within minutes. Victims didn’t know what was happening when the suspect first started firing, she added:
They’re thinking it’s fireworks or it’s part of the technology of the music being played. They were thinking it’s coming from different areas.
There were 22,000 people at the event, she noted.
Nevada US senator Dean Heller said at the conference: “We’ll never forget 1 October 2017. It’s a day we’ll remember for years to come.”
Updated
at 11.29pm BST
11.17pm BST
23:17
Officials say victims have suffered a wide range of injuries, including gunshot wounds, shrapnel wounds, injuries from people jumping fences while trying to escape and more:
Gunshots, trample injuries, people jumping fences to escape among the 527 injuries per @ClarkCountyFD. "Dozens and dozens" of ambulances.
Officials say the local coroner’s office is still working to identify victims and provide updates to families. Asked if the coroner was able to handle the number of bodies, an official said yes, but added, “I don’t know if anyone can be fully equipped to handle this.”
Some further information for victims’ families:
.@LVMPD: @stationcasinos, @boydgaming, @southpointlv & Segal Suites offer place to stay for families of victims of Las Vegas Strip shooting
11.07pm BST
23:07
Death toll rises to 59
Officials in Las Vegas are providing an update at a press conference now. The official death toll is now at 59, and police say 527 people have been injured.
Police also say authorities have found 18 firearms, explosives and several thousands of rounds of ammunition at the suspect’s home in Mesquite, Nevada.
10.51pm BST
22:51
State of emergency declared
Clark County, which has jurisdiction over the Las Vegas strip, has just declared a state of emergency:
An #emergency has been declared in #ClarkCounty as a result of #vegasshooting. It was issued a short time ago. #PrayForVegas pic.twitter.com/imiIqA6Ves