This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41504063
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Las Vegas shooting: Trump tribute to emergency 'heroes' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
President Donald Trump visited first responders who attended the Las Vegas shooting on Sunday, saying he was "in the company of heroes". | |
"America is truly a nation in mourning" following the worst shooting in modern US history, he said. | |
The attack left 58 people dead and more than 500 injured. | |
"In the depths of horror, we will always find hope in the men and women who risk their lives for ours," Mr Trump said. | |
Applauding the wounded officers he had visited earlier in hospital, he said: "When the worst of humanity strikes - and strike it did - the best of humanity responds." | |
"Words cannot describe the bravery that the whole world witnessed on Sunday night. Americans defied death and hatred with love and with courage," he said. | |
First Lady Melania Trump joined the president to meet some of the victims and emergency responders on Wednesday. | First Lady Melania Trump joined the president to meet some of the victims and emergency responders on Wednesday. |
Mr Trump told reporters at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas: "I have to tell you it makes you very proud to be an American when you see the job that they've done." | |
The gunman, Stephen Paddock, shot himself dead as police approached. | The gunman, Stephen Paddock, shot himself dead as police approached. |
His girlfriend was being questioned on Wednesday by the FBI after arriving in Los Angeles from the Philippines on Tuesday night. | His girlfriend was being questioned on Wednesday by the FBI after arriving in Los Angeles from the Philippines on Tuesday night. |
The president was joined by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Nevada congressman Mark Amodei and Nevada Senator Dean Heller, who had constituents killed in the attack. | The president was joined by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Nevada congressman Mark Amodei and Nevada Senator Dean Heller, who had constituents killed in the attack. |
On Sunday, Paddock, a 64-year-old retired accountant with no criminal record, unloaded his gun into a crowd at a country music festival from the 32nd floor of his suite at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. | On Sunday, Paddock, a 64-year-old retired accountant with no criminal record, unloaded his gun into a crowd at a country music festival from the 32nd floor of his suite at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. |
He had some 23 weapons with him and had set up cameras both inside and outside the suite to see anyone approaching the room, police said. | He had some 23 weapons with him and had set up cameras both inside and outside the suite to see anyone approaching the room, police said. |
Witnesses described hundreds of shots being fired. What sounded like automatic gunfire can be heard on videos from the scene. | Witnesses described hundreds of shots being fired. What sounded like automatic gunfire can be heard on videos from the scene. |
Is the gunman's girlfriend a suspect? | Is the gunman's girlfriend a suspect? |
Police have yet to establish a motive for the attack but took Paddock's girlfriend, Marilou Danley, for questioning after she arrived in Los Angeles from the Philippines on Tuesday night. | Police have yet to establish a motive for the attack but took Paddock's girlfriend, Marilou Danley, for questioning after she arrived in Los Angeles from the Philippines on Tuesday night. |
US authorities have named Ms Danley a "person of interest" in their investigation and said they made contact with her shortly after the shooting. | US authorities have named Ms Danley a "person of interest" in their investigation and said they made contact with her shortly after the shooting. |
Paddock reportedly wired $100,000 (£75,400) to her in the Philippines, where she had been since late September, before the rampage, local media have reported. | Paddock reportedly wired $100,000 (£75,400) to her in the Philippines, where she had been since late September, before the rampage, local media have reported. |
Her sisters told Australian outlet 7News that Ms Danley had not known about the trip until Paddock told her he had bought her a ticket to the Philippines. | Her sisters told Australian outlet 7News that Ms Danley had not known about the trip until Paddock told her he had bought her a ticket to the Philippines. |
"She was sent away... so that she will not be there to interfere with what he's planning," they said. | "She was sent away... so that she will not be there to interfere with what he's planning," they said. |
Paddock checked into the Mandalay Bay Hotel on 28 September, reportedly using some of Ms Danley's identity documents. | Paddock checked into the Mandalay Bay Hotel on 28 September, reportedly using some of Ms Danley's identity documents. |
The Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation told AFP news agency it was investigating reports that Paddock sent $100,000 to Ms Danley in the Philippines days before the shooting. | The Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation told AFP news agency it was investigating reports that Paddock sent $100,000 to Ms Danley in the Philippines days before the shooting. |
An unnamed US official told Reuters news agency that investigators were assuming the amount was intended as a form of life insurance. | An unnamed US official told Reuters news agency that investigators were assuming the amount was intended as a form of life insurance. |
What do we know of the gunman? | What do we know of the gunman? |
Paddock, who had a big gambling habit, lived in a community of senior citizens in the small town of Mesquite, north-east of Las Vegas. | Paddock, who had a big gambling habit, lived in a community of senior citizens in the small town of Mesquite, north-east of Las Vegas. |
He reportedly shared his house there with Ms Danley. | He reportedly shared his house there with Ms Danley. |
Nineteen firearms, some explosives and several thousand rounds of ammunition with electronic devices were found at the property. | Nineteen firearms, some explosives and several thousand rounds of ammunition with electronic devices were found at the property. |
According to reports, Paddock had a troubled upbringing - his father was a bank robber who regularly beat him and his three brothers, while his mother struggled to cope bringing up the family. | According to reports, Paddock had a troubled upbringing - his father was a bank robber who regularly beat him and his three brothers, while his mother struggled to cope bringing up the family. |
Will the attack trigger more demand for gun controls? | Will the attack trigger more demand for gun controls? |
The shooting has prompted calls for reform to US gun laws. | The shooting has prompted calls for reform to US gun laws. |
But Mr Trump - who has been backed by the National Rifle Association, and spoke often of protecting gun rights during his campaign - has tried to steer clear of leaning too far either way. | But Mr Trump - who has been backed by the National Rifle Association, and spoke often of protecting gun rights during his campaign - has tried to steer clear of leaning too far either way. |
After visiting Puerto Rico on Tuesday, he said "perhaps that [time] will come" for a debate. | After visiting Puerto Rico on Tuesday, he said "perhaps that [time] will come" for a debate. |