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Stephen Paddock: Las Vegas gunman identified by police as 64-year-old white male | Stephen Paddock: Las Vegas gunman identified by police as 64-year-old white male |
(35 minutes later) | |
The suspected gunman in the mass shooting at a music festival in Las Vegas has been named as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock. | The suspected gunman in the mass shooting at a music festival in Las Vegas has been named as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock. |
At least 50 people were killed and more than 400 injured at the Route 91 country music event near the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. | At least 50 people were killed and more than 400 injured at the Route 91 country music event near the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. |
It is the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, with the death toll surpassing the 49 killed at a nightclub in Orlando in June 2016. | It is the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, with the death toll surpassing the 49 killed at a nightclub in Orlando in June 2016. |
Witnesses described seeing flashes of light high up in the tower of the hotel and a sound "like firecrackers" as "clip after clip" was unloaded into the 22,000-strong crowd. | |
Paddock, a grandfather from Mesquite, Nevada, is believed to have been firing down at concert-goers from the 32nd floor. | |
A Swat team used a controlled explosion to enter the hotel room, where Paddock was found dead, according to a police statement. | A Swat team used a controlled explosion to enter the hotel room, where Paddock was found dead, according to a police statement. |
Officials believe Paddock killed himself before the officers entered. | |
Confirming the suspect's name, Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said police had "located numerous firearms", including rifles, in the hotel room. | |
A total of 10 guns were recovered from the room, where Paddock had been staying since 28 September. | |
Sheriff Lombardo said police had found nothing to suggest a motive for the attack. | |
When asked during a news conference why the police were not treating the incident as an act of terrorism, Sheriff Lombardo said: "We have to establish what his motivation is first. | |
"There are motivating factors associated with terrorism other than a distraught person just intending to cause mass casualty. Before we label with that it will be a matter of process." | |
Following the press briefing, Isis claimed responsibility for the massacre, saying Paddock was "a soldier of the Islamic State" who answered "calls to target coalition countries". | |
A statement published by the group's Amaq propaganda agency – which cannot be independently verified – claimed he “converted to Islam several months ago”. | |
The wording of the release is similar to other attacks that have been inspired, rather than directed, by Isis. | |
Records show Paddock lived in a three-year-old, $396,000 (£297,554) two-bedroom home in the small retirement and golf community of Mesquite, 80 miles north east of Las Vegas near the Arizona state border. | Records show Paddock lived in a three-year-old, $396,000 (£297,554) two-bedroom home in the small retirement and golf community of Mesquite, 80 miles north east of Las Vegas near the Arizona state border. |
Local media said he had also previously lived in Reno, Nevada, California and Florida. | Local media said he had also previously lived in Reno, Nevada, California and Florida. |
The suspect's brother, Eric Paddock, said the family was stunned by the news. | The suspect's brother, Eric Paddock, said the family was stunned by the news. |
“We have no idea. We're horrified. We're bewildered and our condolences go out to the victims,” Eric Paddock told Reuters in a telephone interview, his voice trembling. “We have no idea in the world." | |
Sheriff Lombardo said: "We are looking at in excess of 50 individuals dead and over 200 individuals injured ... Obviously this is a tragic incident and one that we have never experienced in this valley. My condolences go out to the loved ones." | Sheriff Lombardo said: "We are looking at in excess of 50 individuals dead and over 200 individuals injured ... Obviously this is a tragic incident and one that we have never experienced in this valley. My condolences go out to the loved ones." |
Las Vegas police department confirmed that two off-duty police officers were among the dead. | Las Vegas police department confirmed that two off-duty police officers were among the dead. |
At least two on-duty officers were also injured. One is in a stable condition after surgery and another sustained minor injuries. | At least two on-duty officers were also injured. One is in a stable condition after surgery and another sustained minor injuries. |
The FBI – including federal crime scene investigators – were assisting the Las Vegas police, Sheriff Lombardo said, adding: "It is going to be a long and tedious investigation." | The FBI – including federal crime scene investigators – were assisting the Las Vegas police, Sheriff Lombardo said, adding: "It is going to be a long and tedious investigation." |
He said police had found a 62-year-old female companion of the shooter called Marilou Danley. They had launched a public manhunt for Ms Danley, but later said she was no longer a person of interest. | |
US President Donald Trump responded to the massacre on Twitter, saying: "My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!" | US President Donald Trump responded to the massacre on Twitter, saying: "My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!" |