Alyssa Burd
Online Editor
At least 50 people were killed and over 400 others were injured after a gunman opened fire on an outdoor country music festival last night in Las Vegas, Nevada. The shooting has been named the deadliest mass shooting in United States history.
According to the Associated Press, approximately 22,000 people were in attendance at the three day Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas. Country music singer Jason Aldean was on stage performing around 10:00 p.m. when gunshots rang out from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and casino located across the street from the concert.
The gunman has been identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada. The Associated Press states that Paddock had checked into a room at the Mandalay Bay hotel on Thursday night. Following the shooting, SWAT teams used explosives in order to gain access to Paddock’s room where he was found dead after taking his own life.
According to The Washington Post, several concert-goers initially thought the shots were fireworks. The Las Vegas police have now called for blood donations and have also set up an area for individuals to be reunited with their friends and families.
President Trump spoke about the shooting at the White House this morning, stating, “It was an act of pure evil…To the families of the victims, we are praying for you and we are here for you.”
Stay tuned to the Pulse as more updates become available.