Las Vegas Deadly Shooting: Steven Paddock Kills At Least 58 People, Injures More Than 500

Terror, anguish and confusion were experienced at a country music concert in Las Vegas, when a gunman, identified by authorities as Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire to the crowd using long range rifles.

Considered as the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, Paddock perched on the 32nd floor of his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay Casino, discharged for at least 15 minutes, his fury at the innocent throng that was enjoying the three-day Route 91 Harvest Festival, an outdoor country music show that in this occasion reunited more than 22,000 spectators, among them children.

When the gunman opened fire, Country music star Jason Aldean was performing. After a few seconds, Aldean and the attendants, realizing that the strange sound wasn’t part of the show, tried to flee to protect themselves without having any idea of what was really happening and that much less clue that Paddock was shooting across the street from the 32nd floor as an experienced sniper.

The attacker fired in at least 3 different rounds, but it is unknown if the pauses were loading the same rifle with more ammunition or changing weapon. Later, Sheriff Joe Lombardo said officers found 10 rifles in Paddock’s room, where he checked in Sept. 28.

According to AP News, Kodiak Yazzie, 36, said the music stopped temporarily when the first shots began. "It was the craziest stuff I've ever seen in my entire life," Yazzie said. "You could hear that the noise was coming from west of us, from Mandalay Bay. You could see a flash, flash, flash, flash."

The local newspaper, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that a witness, Ivette Saldana, said Aldean was evacuated when the shots began. "It was a horror show," she said at the Town Square shopping center south of the Strip. "People were standing around, then they hit the floor."

Hours after the shooting, Aldean posted on social media that he and his crew were safe. "Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still don't know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that me and my crew are safe," he wrote on Instagram. "My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night."

Governor of Nevada, Brian Edward Sandoval, wrote: "A tragic & heinous act of violence has shaken the #Nevada family. Our prayers are w/ the victims & all affected by this act of cowardice."

So far authorities have reported 58 fatal victims and more than 500 injured. Among the dead were identified at least three police officers from various departments who were attending the concert, and the police also confirmed that the attacker was dead. Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said authorities believed this was a "lone wolf" attack, while the U.S. Homeland Security Department said there was no "specific credible threat" involving other public venues in the U.S.

Police confirmed Paddock killed himself after the shooting. Later, police captured Marilou Danley, Paddock's companion, who was believed to be involved as she had allegedly warned some of the spectators that something terrible was going to happen to them. At 5 am, Las Vegas time, police released a statement saying they had interviewed her and did not believe she was involved with the shooting.

Danley is a 62-year-old woman, described by Sheriff Lombardo as Asian, 4 foot 11 inches tall and weighing 111 pounds.

Las Vegas-Review Journal also informed that according to airport spokeswoman Christine Crews, more than 25 flights were diverted from McCarran International Airport as of midnight. Flights were being held as the flight path was reconfigured to keep airplanes from getting shot.

MGM Resorts International, which owns Mandalay Bay, released a statement giving their condolences and informing they will help with the investigation. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of last night’s shooting, their families and those still fighting for their lives," Murren said. "We are working with law enforcement and will continue to do all we can to help all of those involved."

President Donald Trump spoke hours after the shooting. Trump said the nation must stay unified. He said that although he feels "such great anger at the senseless murder of our fellow citizens, it is our love that binds us today and always will." He also tweeted: "My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!"

Las Vegas Metro Police have set up a family reunion center at Metro Plaza, 400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd. Families seeking information on the welfare of loved ones should call 866-535-5654.

In the same way, Las Vegas authorities are calling for blood donations for people who are injured and are located in different hospitals in the area. United Blood Services is open to let people donate blood at: 6930 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, 89117 and 601 Whitney Ranch, # 20, Henderson, 89014.