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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2017/oct/02/las-vegas-two-dead-in-mandalay-bay-casino-shooting-latest-updates
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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) | |
| 3.34am BST | |
| 03:34 | |
| Former Fox News presenter Bill O’Reilly has called the Las Vegas shooting “the price of freedom” in a post on his personal website arguing against stricter gun control laws. | |
| “The murderer had a number of deadly weapons in his room and you can count on the gun control debate to ramp up,” he said. “But ... I can tell you that government restrictions will not stop psychopaths from harming people. | |
| “This is the price of freedom,” he continued. “Violent nuts are allowed to roam free until they do damage, no matter how threatening they are.” | |
| 3.20am BST | |
| 03:20 | |
| “There was only one shooter” | |
| Fasulo says blood donations are at capacity and those looking to donate should wait until “at least tomorrow afternoon or even the next day”. Similarly, it’s difficult to distribute the number of food donations they have received. | |
| He says the best way to contribute at the moment is to donate to the official GoFundMe, set up by Steve Sisolak, the Clark County commissioner, which has now raised $2.2m over 30,000 donations. | |
| He also opened his briefing by dispelling rumours that there were multiple shooters. | |
| “We are aware of the rumours that there was more assailant,” he said. “There is no evidence or information to support that theory. We believe there was only one shooter and that was Stephen Paddock”. | |
| He said the death toll has not changed since the last update. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.26am BST | |
| 3.14am BST | |
| 03:14 | |
| 42 guns found | |
| Assistant Sheriff Todd Fasulo has provided the final planned press briefing for tonight. He’s updated the number of guns found in Paddock’s various homes and rooms across Nevada to 42 firearms, as well as a stock of explosives and thousands of rounds of ammo. | |
| The latest confirmed figure is 23 guns in his hotel room in the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and 19 in his home in Mesquite. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.24am BST | |
| 2.57am BST | 2.57am BST |
| 02:57 | 02:57 |
| “Those conversion kits are out there in society” | “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”. | 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”. | 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. | 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: | 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.” | “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 | 2.46am BST |
| 02:46 | 02:46 |
| Eleanor Ainge Roy | 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 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 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. | “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.” | “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.” | “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. | 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 | 2.37am BST |
| 02:37 | 02:37 |
| Huge arsenal of guns and explosives continues to grow | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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.” | “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 | Updated |
| at 2.43am BST | at 2.43am BST |
| 2.09am BST | 2.09am BST |
| 02:09 | 02:09 |
| The latest | The 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 BST | 1.52am BST |
| 01:52 | 01:52 |
| 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 BST | 1.43am BST |
| 01:43 | 01:43 |
| Tom Phillips | Tom 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”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.44am BST | at 1.44am BST |
| 1.38am BST | 1.38am BST |
| 01:38 | 01:38 |
| 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/t1kipg7Qdr | This 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 BST | 1.19am BST |
| 01:19 | 01:19 |
| Swat team at suspect's Reno home | Swat 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/iW1BMY34G0 | Scene 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 BST | 1.06am BST |
| 01:06 | 01:06 |
| Tributes around the globe | Tributes 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/hf42A2Nu76 | 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/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/96gpsrQDaD | 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/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/M3RZBgHuD6 | Lots of #nved folks, @AaronDFordNV here in front of @CityOfLasVegas for vigil pic.twitter.com/M3RZBgHuD6 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.06am BST | at 1.06am BST |
| 12.57am BST | 12.57am BST |
| 00:57 | 00:57 |
| 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. |