DEATH IN LAS VEGAS
50 killed as gunman targets crowd
THE entertainment capital of America was in lockdown early today after a gunman opened fire at music festival.
At least 50 people including offduty police officers were killed and more than 200 other people injured in a mass shooting at an outdoor music festival on the Las Vegas Strip, officials said.
Dozens of patrol vehicles descended on the Strip after authorities received reports of an active gunman near the Route 91 Harvest Festival.
Las Vegas police later killed a suspect on 32nd floor of a hotel across from the concert. US news sources have named the man as Stephen Paddock, 64.
They said they were looking for a companion travelling with the suspect as a “person of interest”.
Sheriff Joe Lombardo said police believed the shooting was a “lone wolf” style attack, but confirmed they were trying to locate an Asian female named as Marilou Danely.
Concert-goers reported seeing muzzle flashes from the upper floors of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino across Las Vegas Boulevard from the music festival and the sound of what they described as automatic gunfire.
Kodiak Yazzie, 36, said he and his girlfriend were watching country star Jason Aldean’s performance when he heard what sounded like fireworks. The music stopped temporarily and then started up again before another round of pops sent the performers ducking for cover and fleeing the stage.
Thousands fled as bursts of gunfire could be heard for more than five minutes, Mr Yazzie said.
Witnesses said they saw multiple victims and dozens of ambulances near the concert venue. Some attendees later huddled in the basement of the nearby Tropicana hotel and casino.
Officers carrying assault rifles ran into the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. Authorities shut down part of the Las Vegas Strip and Interstate 15. Flights were temporarily halted at McCarran International Airport because of the shooting, the airport said on its verified Twitter account.
Country music star Jason Aldean took to social media to say he and his crew are safe after the shooting.
Aldean was in the middle of his performance when shots were fired into the crowd.
He posted on Instagram hours later, calling the incident “beyond horrific”.
The Foreign Office said it was in contact with authorities in Las Vegas and that it was “ready to help” any British people affected. A spokes-
woman said: “Our sympathies are with all those affected by the horrific shooting in Las Vegas.
“Details about the incident are still emerging and we are in contact with Las Vegas emergency services.
“We are ready to help any British people affected.
“Any British people in Las Vegas should follow the advice of emergency services, and check the Foreign Office travel advice.”
A Nevada sheriff said one on-duty officer is in critical condition and another was wounded.
Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo also confirmed that two off- duty officers have died. Several officers from California were attending the festival, with one Bakersfield Police officer taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries after being shot.
Sheriff Lombardo said the suspect is dead.
Officers believe this was a “lone wolf” attack, but said they are looking for a roommate of the dead suspect as a person of interest.
On Twitter, Prime Minister Theresa May wrote: “The UK’s thoughts are with the victims and the emergency services responding to the appalling attack in Las Vegas.”