This is the first image of the suspected gunman who killed at least 50 people when he opened fire at a music festival in Las Vegas.
Stephen Paddock has been named as the shooter who shot dead crowds of revellers at a country music event on the city’s world famous strip.
More than 50 people are dead and over 200 others are injured after a gunman opened fire on music festival revellers on the Las Vegas Strip .
Crowds were enjoying the Route 91 Harvest country music festival when the shooter reportedly started spraying bullets from a hotel balcony.
As terrified revellers fled for their lives, officials received reports of an “active” gunman and patrol vehicles descended on the popular US Strip.
Some officers were seen taking cover behind their vehicles, while others carrying assault rifles ran into the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) later confirmed that one suspect was dead and that he is believed to have acted alone.
What happened?
Revellers were attending the Route 91 Harvest festival when the gunman allegedly opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.
He is believed to have used a high-powered assault rifle to blast his victims.
The incident took place at the end of a performance by Jason Aldean. Police responded to the shooting at about 10pm local time.
Video clips posted online captured what sounded like automatic weapons as panicked concert-goers fled and dropped to the ground, screaming.
Witnesses later described how they saw victims fleeing as shots rained down. Some later huddled in the basement of the nearby Tropicana hotel-casino.
Pictures of the scene showed many victims lying on the ground, covered in blood. Others captured people, both young and old, running for their lives.
After quickly arriving at the scene, some police officers were seen taking cover behind their vehicles, while others carrying assault rifles ran into the hotel.
How many people died?
More than 50 people were killed in the shooting, with over 100 others injured.
Speaking at a media briefing at around 1.30am, Sheriff Lombardo said the number of those wounded in the attack is “well in the excess of 100 plus”.
Later on the Sheriff confirmed 50 had died, while over 200 had been injured in the attack.
Off-duty police are believed to be among the victims – with one confirmed among the dead.
A Las Vegas hospital spokeswoman had earlier confirmed at least two people were killed and 24 others were wounded in the attack.
The spokeswoman, of the University Medical Center hospital, said 14 patients were in a critical condition and that all had suffered gunshot wounds.
The identities of those killed and wounded are currently unknown.
Who was the gunman?
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has confirmed that one suspect – a local man – is dead following the mass shooting.
The force said the suspect is believed to have acted alone. He is not believed to have been connected to any militant groups, the sheriff said.
The suspect was later named as Stephen Paddock.
Sheriff Lombardo described how the gunman had been apprehended by police at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. He was shot dead by cops on the 32nd floor.
Officers are now searching for the suspect’s female companion and ‘roommate’, Marilou Danley, who had travelled with him before the shooting.
They are also looking for two vehicles associated with the shooter – a Hyundai Tucson Nevada/114B40 and a Chrysler Pacifica Nevada/79D401.
In an earlier media briefing, held shortly after midnight, police reported that one suspect was “down”, but warned people to stay away from the area.
LVMPD wrote on Twitter: “”Confirming that one suspect is down. This is an active investigation. Again, please do not head down to the Strip at this time.”
The force later said officers believe there were no other shooters in the incident.
Who is Marilou Danley?
Marilou Danley has been described as a female companion and “roommate” of the suspect, although their relationship remains unconfirmed.
She is said to have travelled with him before the shooting.
LVMPD tweeted: “Marilou Danley is being sought for questioning re the investigation into the active shooter incident. If seen please call 9-1-1!.”
The force also posted a picture of Ms Danley.
Later Sheriff Jim Lombardo confirmed they had located Ms Danley.
What were the moments after the shooting like?
One witness, Jon Bessette, who was at the music festival, described how it was “pandemonium” as people fled for safety amid gunfire.
Speaking to NBC, he said: “The band ran off stage and it was pandemonium. Everyone was running, people were getting trampled.”
Some witnesses claimed they heard possibly hundreds of gunshots. Police tactical teams were seen searching the casino hotel for attackers.
Brit Andy Williamson was among those caught up in the chaos after the attack.
He was being interviewed on Good Morning Britain from the Bellagio Hotel when he was forced to cut off the interview amid screaming and sobs .
Speaking to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, Andy revealed that he and many others had been running along the Strip when they were told to go into the hotel’s ballrooms to hide.
At the beginning of the interview, he had said that they were being given the all-clear and spoke about his ordeal.
But noise was suddenly heard around him and he swore: “Oh s***, hold on. Hold on, sorry – I’m going to have to go. Everyone’s running, like mad.”
Poker player Dan Bilzerian was also caught up in the shooting. The 38-year-old shared a video to Snapchat as he ran from the sound of gunshots.
As he sprinted from the chaos to try to find a safe place, he declared: “Holy f***, this girl just got shot in the f****** head.”
He also admitted that he regretted not being armed during the shooting.
“Stupid a** me didn’t bring a gun,” he complained.
Have flights been affected?
Las Vegas’s casinos, nightclubs and shopping hotspots are a major draw for some 3.5 million visitors from around the world each year.
The area was packed with visitors when the shooting broke out.
The Mandalay Bay hotel is near McCarran International Airport, which said on Twitter it had temporarily halted flights after the shooting.
Later, the airport said that some flights had resumed.
Where was the music festival?
The music festival took place over the weekend.
The concert venue was in an outdoor area known as Las Vegas Village, across the Strip from the Mandalay Bay and the Luxor hotels.
Other artists scheduled to play the main stage include Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Jake Owen, Maren Morris, the Brothers Osborne, Lee Brice, and more.
Briefing with @Sheriff_LVMPD regarding the Strip shooting. At least 20 dead, 100 injured. The shooter was local.
At this time we do not believe there are any more shooters. More information to come shortly from @Sheriff_LVMPD.
#Breaking #LasVegas #ActiveShooter One Shooter Down at the #MandalayBay in Room 135
LVMPD warned people not to livestream or share tactical positions of officers on scene which may put them in danger following the shooting.
The mayor of Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman, tweeted her thanks to emergency crews who raced to the area, writing: “Pray for Las Vegas.
“Thank you to all our first responders out there now.”
The Mandalay Bay, meanwhile, posted: “Our thoughts & prayers are with the victims of last night’s tragic events.
“We’re grateful for the immediate actions of our first responders.”
Were there other shootings in the area?
As panic broke out at the music festival, there were rumours of other shootings in the area. However, police have since said these reports were false.
Shortly after the incident, officers told people to stay clear of the Luxor resort after a ‘black Audi with wires sticking out’ was spotted.
There were also reports of shots being fired at the Hakkasan nightclub, while the Bellagio was evacuated amid reports of a gunman with a rifle.
Cops later confirmed claims of other shootings were not true.
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POLITICSNOTE
23 minutes ago
† At least 58 dead in Las Vegas.
18:55 pm
† At least 59 people have been killed and another 527 injured in a mass shooting at a Las Vegas concert.
