The country woke up on Monday facing another tragedy linked to a mass shooting. The shocking event took place in Las Vegas, Nevada Sunday night over a one-hour span.
The city’s legendary strip was hosting the Route 91 Harvest country music festival, a 3-day gathering with performers like Jason Aldean, Eric Church, and Sam Hunt.
A 64-year-old lone gunman named Stephen Paddock opened fire on a crowd of over 22,000 people killing 58. 515 were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. It is the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
Paddock, who had no criminal record, took his own life in the hotel room he used to launch his attack. At this point, officials do not know much about his motives.
JUST IN: One hour and 12 minutes elapsed between first call to police and breach of Stephen Paddock's hotel room, @PeteWilliamsNBC reports pic.twitter.com/3JyJBK9IFY
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 2, 2017
Early reports suggested a possible ISIS connection based on a statement from the terrorist group, but authorities were quick to reject that information. However, they did confirm that he acted alone.
According to police, the gunman had at least ten rifles. Paddock used his girlfriend, Marilou Danley‘s ID documents to check in the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on September 28.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department initially thought Danley, 62, played a role in the shooting, but hours later it was discovered that she is not in the country at the moment.
Politicians and celebrities have reacted to the shooting on social media. Some are calling for unity and prayers while others are pushing elected officials to act.
Proponents of gun control have taken to the popular networking channels to demand that something be done to address the mass shootings in America. Supporters of the Second Amendment say it is not the time to talk about politics when “the bodies are still on the ground.”
Vegas. Heart breaks.
Prayers, love, support and strength to the victims and their families. Hug our loved ones that much tighter today.— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 2, 2017
Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 2, 2017
Death in Vegas, politics as usual. Were you offended by Hillary Clinton bringing up the NRA while bodies are still in the morgue?
— Bill O'Reilly (@billoreilly) October 2, 2017
President Donald Trump has put out several statements condemning what took place in Las Vegas Sunday night. He called the shooting an “act of pure evil” and plans to visit the area on Wednesday to comfort the victims and their loved ones.
A Trump interview with Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel that was set for Wednesday has been canceled.
