Vegas security guy disappears before interviews
THE SECURITY guard shot by Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock seemingly disappeared ahead of five scheduled television appearances while police clarified the time line of the deadly shooting.
Mandalay Bay security guard Jesus Campos was shot moments before the 64-year-old gunman opened fire on concertgoers at the Route 91 Festival. He was slated to break his silence in a series of interviews Thursday, but he bolted, Fox News reported.
It wasn’t immediately clear where he was Friday morning.
“We were in a room, and we came out and he was gone,” Campos’ union president told ABC News’ Stephanie Wash.
Fox News’ Sean Hannity told social media users curious as to why the interview didn’t air that Campos “canceled” Thursday night.
Earlier in the day, Mandalay Bay hotel officials disputed the police time line of the concert shooting. They claim Paddock, a high-stakes gambler and real estate investor, fired into the crowd just 40 seconds after shooting Campos.
The most recent timeline that had been offered by authorities has Paddock shooting 200 rounds into the hallway of the 32nd floor of the hotel, wounding Campos in the leg at 9:59 p.m. — six minutes before he shot into crowds watching Jason Aldean perform.
Paddock killed 58 and wounded nearly 500 others before turning his gun on himself and taking his own life.
On Friday, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo amended the time line, saying the security guard came to a barricaded stairwell door at 9:59 and wasn’t shot until around 10:05 p.m. — which aligns with the hotel’s version of events.
The shifting accounts have led to questions about whether the police bungled their response to the massacre.
“In the public space, the word ‘incompetent’ has been brought forward,” Lombardo said. “I am absolutely offended with that characterization.”
Lombardo also confirmed earlier accounts that Paddock intentionally targeted jet fuel tanks near the concert and police officers responding to the carnage.
Investigators are still searching for a motive.