Police ID Man Who Killed 50, 200 Wounded In Las Vegas, Now Deadliest Shooting In U.S. History
LAS VEGAS (CBS/AP) — More than 50 people were killed and at least 200 more wounded in a shooting at a country music concert near Mandalay Bay Casino, authorities said early Monday morning.
Las Vegas Police said the shooter is dead. It is believed he acted alone. Officials did not assign a motive for the attack.
The shooter was identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, who lived in a retirement community in the Las Vegas area, CBS News reported Monday.
Las Vegas Blvd. was shut down at Tropicana, southbound past Russell Rd.
Preliminary reports said at least two were dead and as many as 24 wounded. Quickly, there were reports that hospitals were filling up quickly.
As cellphone video of the tragedy started to reach newsrooms, the magnitude of the shooting became clearer. Hundreds of rounds from an automatic weapon could be heard as people screamed and ran or dived for cover.
The gunman shot up a crowd watching the Route 91 Harvest Festival, a country music concert. Country superstar Jason Aldean was on stage when the shots rang out.
Shots rang out just before 10:10 p.m. More than 30,000 people were enjoying the final night of the three-day festival. Some concert-goers said they believed the gunfire, at first, was fireworks.
A reporter from the CBS affiliate in Las Vegas called it "one complete nightmare."
Sheriff Joe Lombardo said shots came from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay. Police engaged with the shooter described as a Las Vegas man. While the shooter is dead, authorities said they were actively looking for two vehicles and the shooter's roommate, a 4-f00t-11 Asian woman named Marilou Danley, who is described as a person of interest.
Danley's LinkedIn profile describes her as a "gambling and casinos professional." Her date of birth is given as 12/12/1954.
Authorities are also asking the public to be on the lookout for two vehicles -- both with Nevada plates -- reportedly linked to the suspect.
Vehicle 1: Hyundai Tuscon 114B40
Vehicle 2: Chrysler Touring 19D401
Lombardo asked the public for any cellphone video that could aid in the investigation.
The FBI has joined the investigation.
Area hospitals report being at capacity. There were also reports that victims were being transported to hospitals by police.
One witness said, "There was blood everywhere."
Video recorded at concert, taking place at the south end of the Strip, shows chaos erupt as popping sounds echo in rapid succession. One witness compared the sounds to the firing of a fully automatic weapon near the scene.
Flights were diverted at McCarran Airport, the facility tweeted.
McCarren Airport began to reopen around 12:40 a.m.
"People were hit within 20 feet of us," witness Rick Messick, who said he was in the front row at the concert, told CBS2.
"There were several people laying in the parking lot ... they were trying to stop the bleeding," Messick said.
Cellphone videos captured the chaotic scene of people running, diving for cover and grabbing loved ones.
Several country performers took to Twitter to tell their fans they were OK.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
