Did Vegas gunman first target festival featuring Lorde and Chance The Rapper?
Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock may have initially targeted a Las Vegas festival headlined by Lorde and Chance The Rapper a week earlier before turning to the Route 91 Harvest Festival.
According to a report in US publication The Daily Beast, the 64-year old gunman first looked at the Life Is Beautiful festival and had rented condos above its site.
The Daily Beast’s source was an unnamed a senior law enforcement officer. The title said he was not directly involved in the investigation, but was privy to briefings on its progress.
According to the officer, Paddock “lost his nerve” or “simply changed his plans.”
Lorde had on the morning after the shooting posted a tweet expressing her sympathy to the victims.
59 people lost their lives and over 527 were injured after Paddock started firing on Sunday night (Monday morning Australian time) in a 20 minute spree.
On September 28, he had checked into a suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
According to Joseph Lombardo, the sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Paddock checked in with ten suitcases, in which he had 23 weapons including several automatic rifles, AK-47s and “bump stock” devices to make his semi-automatic guns fire rapidly and continuously
These bump stocks have attracted the concern of authorities and lawmakers in recent years but remain legal and widely available.
Like most Las Vegas hotels, the Mandalay Bay has a ban on guns but is not strict about enforcing it
Eyewitnesses said that when the shooting began, gamblers hid behind the bar or under blackjack tables.
One said, “There were dozens and dozens of police swarming the Mandalay Bay. The police said we should leave. I was too scared to leave. I thought hiding under the table was better.”
As police continued their investigations, guests were bussed to a nearby centre where they were given food, water, doughnuts and shelter.
This week, the mood in the usually loud and hectic casino was subdued, and most of the 3,635 rooms are empty.
Two Nevada gun shops confirmed that they sold firearms to Paddock in the past year and said he passed all required background checks.
In an opinion piece in The New York Times, country music singer songwriter Rosanne Cash called on the country music sector to stand up to the gun lobby National Rifle Association.
While benefit concerts are being organised, Jennifer Lopez, who earlier tweeted she was “shattered”, postponed the start of a residency at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood.
A two night broadcast of the iHeart Radio Music Festival was postponed.
Landmarks as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Empire State Building in New York, and The Space Needle in Seattle, WA dimmed their lights.
Organisers of Route 91 Harvest issued a statement: “We are completely devastated by the event that occurred Sunday night.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the injured and the deceased and their loved ones, senseless violence has claimed the souls of our fans and we have little in the way of answers.
“Our eternal gratitude goes out to the LVPD, Emergency services, security guards, and fans for their selfless acts of bravery while trying to help those in need.
“While we will try and move forward, we will never forget this day.
“We will NOT let hate win over LOVE.
“We will NOT be defeated by senseless violence.
“We WILL persevere, and honor the souls that were lost.
“Because it matters.”
Jobs
