A shooting in Las Vegas Sunday night has resulted in reports that indicate the deadliest mass shooting in United States history, with 50 dead and over 400 injured. There have been a number of reports in the hours since the massacre. Here are 5 fast facts:
1.The gunman has been identified as Stephen Craig Paddock, a 64-year-old white male
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department released a statement early Monday claiming that “the lone suspect involved in the late night mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip as 64-year-old, Stephen Craig Paddock, a white male from Mesquite, Nevada.”
According to a spokesperson for the department, police in the area have had no previous contact with Paddock, and the only thing on his record was a minor traffic violation.
Here"s a pic of #LasVegasShooting perpetrator #StephenPaddock. Older white male yet you"ll hear no stereotypes about them on @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/rfzs69iv2e
— #BeatFSU🏈 (@marclaw69) October 2, 2017
2.Initial reports claimed police shot and killed Paddock—but then changed to claim Paddock was found dead
When reports first surfaced about this shooting, they claimed the gunman was shot and killed by police. They then changed to claim that he was found dead in his hotel room.
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Eric Paddock, the brother of Stephen Paddock, told Fox 35 that he was shocked to learn about the shooting, and would never have expected anything like it from his brother. He said Stephen was not affiliated with any groups or religions that would have inspired such an act.
“This really just fell on us,” the suspected gunman’s brother said. “We had absolutely no idea whatsoever. We have no idea why he did this, and that’s what you’re going to find out… I can’t imagine. What you guys find out about why this happened—let us know.”
MORE: Brother of #LasVegas shooter says Paddock is "just a guy" and he "freaked" #fox35
— Dana Jay (@FOX35danajay) October 2, 2017
3.There were also conflicting reports on the number of gunmen involved in the shooting
The shooting occurred in an open area where around 22,000 people were attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival concert, and because the shooter was reportedly located on the 32nd floor of a nearby hotel, it created a chaotic situation on the ground.
READ MORE: African Christians & Muslims Stand United - Show Americans How NOT to Let ISIS Win
It should be noted that some individuals on Twitter who claimed they were present during the shooting, also insisted that there were multiple shooters.
This was the most terrifying night of my life. 100% there were multiple shooters, it was coming in multiple directions. https://t.co/d6HpspYpZP
— Amy Lipman (@AmyLipman1) October 2, 2017
While police have confirmed that they have found the lone gunman suspect they were looking for, daylight has shown that at least two windows on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel were destroyed. If Stephen Paddock was the only one responsible for the shooting, it shows the scope of time and access he had, while carrying out the shooting.
4.Nevada has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country—which will inevitably come under scrutiny
Stephen Paddock was reportedly found “in possession of more than 10 rifles” in his hotel room. While most mass shootings typically result in a number of politicians calling for stricter gun laws, the state of Nevada is unique in that it has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country.
Nevada allows open carry, does not require the registration of firearms, and has no magazine capacity restriction. Initial reports from witnesses claimed the shooting sounded like it was being carried out with a machine gun. While that has not been confirmed by police, the National Rifle Association noted that in the state, “it is lawful to possess, purchase or sell a machine gun or silencer that is legally registered and possessed in compliance with all federal laws and regulations.”
Witness footage captures the harrowing moment a gunman opens fire during the Las Vegas shooting. Latest updates: https://t.co/g1JMfLQccV pic.twitter.com/JHod2F3zjj
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 2, 2017
5.The media has been hesitant to label this shooting for what it is—terrorism
The suspected gunman has been identified as a “local individual” by police after he took to the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel and began firing a barrage of shots outside out of a hotel room window. However, reports have claimed that police are not calling the shooting an act of terrorism “at this point.”
Steven Paddock, regardless of which group tries to use this tragedy for their cause, is a fucking terrorist. Call him a terrorist! pic.twitter.com/2ReVdcT3A3
— Matt Agorist (@MattAgorist) October 2, 2017
When President Trump addressed the shooting, he referred to it as “an act of pure evil,” but refrained from calling it “terrorism.”
This is in spite of the recent statement from ISIS claiming responsibility for the attack.
A statement published by the group’s Amaq propaganda agency claimed the attacker was a “soldier of the Islamic State”.
“The Las Vegas attacker is a soldier of the Islamic State in response to calls to target coalition countries,” it said.
In a second statement, Isis claimed the gunman “converted to Islam several months ago”.
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