Gov. Raimondo, officials speak out on shooting

As President Donald Trump issued his initial statement of condolence to the victims and their families in the Las Vegas country music shooting Monday morning, he also took note of the actions believed to have saved many lives by those trained to protect others or who stepped forward to help.

It was a message that also had significance in other communities around the country where similar festivals and large events are held. The security precautions taken beforehand can mean the difference in how an incident of terror or a life-threatening disaster is handled, and that was a lesson from Las Vegas, even with its heavy toll of lost lives and injuries.

President Trump was direct in his assessment of the Las Vegas attack, noting how it had taken the lives of 59 people and wounded hundreds more near the Mandalay Bay resort complex.

“My fellow Americans, we are joined together today in sadness, shock and grief. Last night a gunman opened fire at a large crowd at a country music concert in Las Vegas, Nevada,” Trump said after stepping out before reporters at the White House.

“He brutally murdered more than 50 people and wounded hundreds more. It was an act of pure evil,” the president said.

Trump related that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security were working closely with the authorities in Las Vegas to assist with their investigation in the shootings by Stephen Paddock – believed to have killed himself before police force their way into his room on the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay – and noted updates on investigation would be forthcoming.

He then turned to praise for the police rushing to stop the carnage and the many others

who sought to help those struck down by the attack.

“I want to thank the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and all of the first responders for their courageous efforts and for helping to save the lives of so many,” he said.

“The speed with which they acted is miraculous and prevented further loss of life. To have found the shooter so quickly after the first shots were fired is something for which we will always be thankful and grateful. It shows what true professionalism is all about,” he said.

The president went on to offer support for those affected and also to call for unity in the face of the crisis. “We are praying for you and we are here for you, and we ask God to help see you through this very dark period,” the president said while relating how he and the First Lady were also “praying for the entire nation to find unity and peace and we pray for the day when evil is banished and the innocent are safe from hatred and fear.”

Later, in Rhode Island, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo took note of the President’s call for all U.S. flags to be flown at half staff and ordered that the U.S. and Rhode Island flags at all state facilities and buildings be flown at halfstaff until sunset on Oct. 6, 2017 in honor of the victims of the shooting in Las Vegas.

"This morning, millions of Americans woke up to news of horror and devastation from Las Vegas," Raimondo said of the attack.

"Rhode Islanders stand with the people of Nevada, and send our condolences to the family and friends of those lost. In the wake of this senseless tragedy, there have been glimmers of hope in the stories of the brave first responders and fellow concertgoers who risked their lives to help others. While our nation mourns, let us also honor those courageous and selfless acts," the governor said.

When later asked about the state’s attention to security for festivals and other activities here in Rhode Island, the governor pointed to the Rhode Island State Police as maintaining an active posture on safety for all of the state’s residents.

The key is to “constantly be vigilant,” she said. “In fact I have been in touch with the colonel (Ann Assumpico) today,” the governor said. “I think this was unrelated to anything here, what it tells me is that we have to do a better job getting guns out of the hands of people who want to hurt their fellow Americans,” she said. “In particular, these are military-style weapons and they belong in the military; we ought to ban them. I think we should ban them in Rhode Island.”

As for public events and festivals, the governor noted there have been many in Rhode Island over the summer and all went off without incident.

“So I want people to feel safe and I want people to go out and enjoy their community and enjoy their festivals and we are going to make sure they are safe,” Raimondo said.

“The state police is on it, and they always are, and we’ll just be vigilant,” the governor said.

Assumpico, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and director of the Department of Public Safety, noted a member of her agency, Detective Conor S. O’Donnell, a six-year veteran of the Rhode Island State Police, had been among thousands of people attending the country musical festival when the tragic mass shooting occurred in Las Vegas.

“We are relieved to report that Detective O’Donnell was not injured. We also were proud to learn that he joined several other offduty police officers who assisted victims at the scene,” the Colonel said.

“The Rhode Island State Police extends its deepest condolences to all the victims and their families, especially those police officers, both on- and off-duty, who were among those shot and killed by the gunman,” Assumpico said.

“Our thoughts are also with the men and women who serve with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, as well as all other first-responders who tended to the hundreds of innocent victims killed and injured at the scene,” she added.

Assumpico said the State Police, like most law enforcement agencies, undergoes extensive training “to ensure we’re providing the best possible level of safety and security for all residents and visitors to our state.”

She also urged all Rhode Islanders to remain vigilant, “whether at home or while travelling. We encourage people to report any suspicious activity by calling 911 or your local police department. If you see something, say something. We need everyone’s help to keep our state safe,” Assumpico said.

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin also issued his condolences to the victims and their families.

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the hundreds of people that were killed or injured in the tragic events that unfolded last evening in Las Vegas. We owe deep gratitude to law enforcement officials, firefighters, EMTs, medical staff and all those on the ground who are doing everything they can to assist those affected,” he said.

“I was heartened to learn, but not surprised, of the bravery of one of our own – Rhode Island State Police Detective Conor O’Donnell – who was among the off-duty law enforcement officials at the concert who helped the victims on the scene. I have no doubt that the quick thinking by the law enforcement officials in attendance helped save many lives,” Kilmartin said.