Trump Visits Las Vegas To Pay Respects After Mass Shooting
United States President Donald Trump arrived at Las Vegas on Wednesday, three days after the city was shaken by the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history that killed 59 people and wounded more than 500 others.
Mr Trump and first lady Melania travelled to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada on a private visit to see patients and medical professionals there. Surrounded by doctors and nurses, the president praised the medical teams who treated dozens of patients on Sunday night. University Medical Centre confirmed about 50 people were admitted to the hospital located in Las Vegas after Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old gambler and real estate investor, opened fire Sunday night on an outdoor music festival on Las Vegas Strip.
“What I saw today is just an incredible tribute to professionalism,” Mr Trump said. The Trumps also met with Police, first responders to the shooting spree and volunteers who helped prevent an even greater loss of life when Paddock rained bullets from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel into a crowd of more than 22,000 people attending Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival. The president brushed aside a reporter’s question about whether the country has “gun violence problem.”
“We’re not going to talk about that today,” said Mr Trump, who won the support of the National Rifle Association in last year’s presidential campaign.
The suspect shooter, Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old gambler and real estate investor, purchased 33 firearms in the last year.
Police found 47 firearms at the hotel and his home. Law enforcement has yet to draw a conclusion as to why Paddock carried out the attack.
Surrounded by doctors and nurses, Trump praised the medical team who treated dozens of patients on Sunday night.
“The country needs to unify. It’s very diverse and divided. It’s kind sad though,” Judd Frazier, a nurse who works at the renowned hospital located in Las Vegas, told Xinhua after the president’s visit.