Deadliest US mass shooting: Gunman identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock
The gunman suspect in the Las Vegas mass shooting has been identified by the police as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock. Police found numerous firearms in the hotel room of the slain suspect, who opened fire from the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay Hotel. Meanwhile, the death toll in the Route 91 country music festival massacre reached 50 while at least 200 have been injured.
A gunman has opened fire at a country music festival in Las Vegas being held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the south-end of Vegas strip. More than 20 people have been reported dead, and 100 got injured in the mass shooting. Police are responding to the reports of an active shooter. Video clips from the scene show the presence of heavily-armed policemen. Here's more.
EYEWITNESS: Chilling footage of moment active shooter opened fire on concert goers near Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/7OfAwg0ReO
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) October 2, 2017
A video clip posted online shows country singer Jason Aldean performing at the music festival outside the Mandalay Bay Hotel as the automatic shots rang out, following which the music stopped. The concert attendees then ducked for cover. Some witnesses say the gunfire came from the hotel. However, the police said they have closed off Las Vegas Boulevard.
Several police SWAT teams have been sent to the hotel to search for the gunman. They cleared out the 29th floor of the hotel and are working their way up to the 32nd floor. However, many civilians and officers are reportedly pinned down by gunfire.
Several videos have surfaced on social media platforms that showed hundreds of the country music festival attendees fleeing from the spot. Sound from an automatic gunfire could also be heard in some of the video clips. Police have advised people to avoid the area. A hospital spokesperson told reporters that 20 people with gunshot wounds were being treated.
The Las Vegas McCarran International Airport has stated that the flight operations "have been temporarily halted in response to reported shooting incident on Las Vegas Strip." As the police continue to investigate, flights in and out of the airport have been suspended.
