Photo: People
Police still have no motive for what's being called the worst mass shooting in US modern history.
By Liza Walter — Written on Oct 02, 2017
On September 28, 2017, Stephen Paddock checked into a hotel suite at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. According to hotel staff, nothing about the 64-year-old man seemed out of the ordinary.
Credit: Daily Mirror Stephen Paddock
Around 10:08 PM on October 1st, the first calls were made to the police about shots fired. Across from the hotel, roughly 22,000 people were enjoying the Route 91 Harvest Festival on its 3rd and final day. As bullets rang out, concert goers initially thought they were about to see fireworks, or maybe the speaker had blown out, but no one thought that they were involved in the worst mass shooting in United States modern history.
It wasn't until people started falling to the floor with blood that it was realized they were being attacked.
Stories of heroism surfaced late into the night; people hiding under cars, covering others so they wouldn't be shot, and grabbing folks out of the way of gun fire.
As of this writing, 59 people have died and over 500 people suffered injuries ranging from gunshot wounds, shrapnel, and injuries sustained trying to flee the area.
As police and SWAT arrived on the tragic scene, it took them about an hour from the time of arrival to realize the attack was coming from the hotel across the way, make entry, and breach the room in which Stephen Paddock shot at officers before turning the gun on himself.
This is a developing story but this is what we know so far:
1. Stephen Paddock's family were shocked to learn that he was the mass shooter.
An accountant with a fondness for gambling, Paddock never seemed to bother anyone. He was not known to police and had no criminal past. His brother, Eric Paddock, spoke with CNN about what happened and his reaction:
Eric insisted that Stephen had no mental illness, political affiliation, and was the kind of guy who went on cruises and sent his mother boxes of cookies.
Stephen was living with his girlfriend, Marilou Danley, 62, who was out of the country during the shooting.
Credit: Heavy Marilou Danley
She was thought to be a person of interest, but at this time, she is no longer considered someone with knowledge of the incident.
2. Stephen Paddock's father was once on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List.
Benjamin Paddock was said to be "psychopathic" and have suicidal tendencies and was listed to be armed and dangerous. After several bank robberies, he escaped prison for ten years before being caught in Oregon.
3. The latest meme during a tragedy is to tweet missing people who have nothing to do with the event.
Twitter account @immyxrx (which has since been suspended) tweeted out a picture of his "father" hoping for retweets. His profile picture is actually of popular YouTuber TheReportOfTheWeek, whose picture was also used during the Manchester bombing at the Ariana Grande concert.
He used the name Jack Sins, and used a picture of porn star, Johnny Sins.
Mashable caught up with the twitter user before his account was suspended and asked why he would do such a thing, and this was his response:
And of course, Alex Jones' website InfoWars was right on top of the tragedy. Here is a video made by writer Paul Joseph Watson:
4. ISIS has claimed responsibility.
The terror group's news organization Amaq released a statement claiming Paddock was a soldier of the Islamic State: “The Las Vegas attack was carried out by a soldier of the Islamic State and he carried it out in response to calls to target states of the coalition ... The Las Vegas attacker converted to Islam a few months ago."
U.S. officials have said numerous times since last night that there is currently no tie to terrorist organizations. Why ISIS is claiming responsibility is still a question that remains unanswered.
5. University of Southern California was temporarily on lockdown today after reports of shots fired.
John Thomas, USC Department of Public Safety chief said, “It was reported a faculty member during class falsely told her students there was an active shooter in the building.”
6. Some of the victims have been identified by family and friends.
Sonny Melton, 29
Heather Melton confirmed her husband's death, "He saved my life. He grabbed me and started running when I felt him get shot in the back. I want everyone to know what a kind-hearted, loving man he was, but at this point, I can barely breathe."
Sandra Casey
Sandy was a special education teacher at Manhattan Beach Middle School. The District Superintendent had this to say, "Our students, employees, and parents are devastated by Sandy Casey's death. We lost a spectacular teacher who devoted her life to helping some of our most needy students.”
Rachael Parker, 33
Rachael Parker was a records technician for Manhattan Beach Police Department. She was one of four off-duty police employees at the festival.
Jenny and Bobby Parks
Jenny, a kindergarten teacher was killed and her husband, Bobby suffered hand injuries that required surgery. He is aware his wife has died.
Stephen McCarthy, Bobby's uncle, spoke about Jenny, "She was truly one of the most loving people you could ever hope to meet. She always went out of her way to help anybody."
Susan Smith, 53
Susan Smith was an office manager for Vista Elementary School in California.
Lisa Romero-Muniz
Lisa Romero-Muniz was a secretary at Miyamura High School. A press conference was held in her honor:
Adrian Murfitt, 35
Jordan Mclldoon, 23
Quinton Robbins, 20
Angela Gomez
According to the GoFundMe page set up for Angela, "It is with deepest sadness and absolute shock that we mourn the loss of Poly Cheer Alumni, Angela Gomez. Angie was a member of the Class of 2015. She was a cheerful young lady with a warm heart and loving spirit. Angie's life was cut short when she succombed to injuires sustained in the Las Vegas Route 91 shooting. This senseless act of violence has rocked our Poly Cheer and Song family. We are establishing this GoFundMe account to assist her family in making burial arrangements and taking care of all the needs they may have in the days and weeks to come. All monies raised here will be given directly to the Gomez family. Most of all, please raise this family up in prayer. Keep them in your thoughts and celebrate the life of a young woman who has gone home too soon. We love you, Angie."
Jessica Klymchuk, 28
Jessica, a mother of 4 from Alberta, Canada, had recently been engaged. She was a librarian and a bus driver for a Catholic elementary school.
Bailey Schweitzer, 20
Charleston Hartfield, 34