by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Mon October 2, 2017
UPDATE: 3:30 p.m. ET 10/2/2017
In an update from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, authorities believe the suspected shooter Stephen Paddock checked into the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Thursday. They also believe the attacker brought the guns into the hotel himself.
Despite the devastating attack, several companies are stepping up in the face of adversity. Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air is offering family members of victims the opportunity to travel for free to the city, according to News3LV.com.
In addition, Allegiant is offering to waive change fees for Las Vegas travelers who wish to alter their plans over the next week. Impacted customers should contact the airline via [email protected] for assistance.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority also released a statement about the attack.
"The thoughts and prayers of all of Las Vegas go out to the victims and their families. This was a horrific, yet isolated, incident," LVCVA CEO Rossi Ralenkotter said. "At this time, it is important to allow the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police to conclude their investigation into the incident and to attend to the needs of the victims and their families. Las Vegas is a strong community that will work through this tragic incident. We are grateful beyond words to our incomparable law enforcement, first responders and everyone who continues to help victims and their families."
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UPDATE: 12:30 p.m. ET 10/2/2017
During a press conference Monday morning, Las Vegas Police said at least 58 people were killed and another 515 were injured after a gunman attacked a music festival crowd from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
According to ABCNews.com, the suspected shooter Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nevada, killed himself prior to police entry into his hotel room. Police found at least 10 rifles in the room when they entered.
While Paddock's motives remain unclear, officials don't believe there is a connection between the shooting and any international terrorist group. The suspect had no serious criminal history, was a licensed hunter and private pilot.
Police said family and friends looking for their loved ones can call 1-866-535-5654.
After being temporarily shut down following the shooting, McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas has reopened. The facility shared an update on Twitter.
The American Society of Travel Agents President and CEO Zane Kerby issued a statement on the shooting.
"Our hearts go out to the victims, friends and families impacted by yesterday's horrific attack in Las Vegas," Kerby said. "We are sickened by the violence on display and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Nevada members and the broader travel and tourism industry in condemning this attack and supporting those who need our help during these difficult times."
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Original Text
A gunman opened fire from a perch high up in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas Sunday night, killing more than 50 people and leaving at least another 500 injured.
According to NBCNews.com, the shooting took place during the final night of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival as headliner Jason Aldean and his band were playing. Police received the first call of a shooting at around 10 p.m. local time and were quickly on the scene.
The Las Vegas Police Department announced that they had identified the gunman as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock. Paddock was shooting concert goers from the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay hotel until the police arrived, who then engaged him and he is now dead. Police also detained a companion of the shooter, Marilou Danley, who was located outside of the country. However, she is not believed to have been involved in the shooting and is no longer being sought as a "person of interest."
While tourists visiting the area hid in their hotel rooms to avoid the gunfire, authorities temporarily halted flights in and out of the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Several people fleeing the scene breached an airport perimeter fence, but they were transported to the designated evacuation site and the fence line was secured.
As a result of the shooting, portions of the Las Vegas Strip have been temporarily closed and surrounding traffic has been diverted.
United States President Donald Trump, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and the Mandalay Bay Resort responded on Twitter to the shooting.
In response, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation had responded to the shooting and were working together with local law enforcement efforts on the investigation, according to ABCNews.com.
While many initially thought the gunfire was fireworks, witnesses claim they quickly realized it was a shooting as people around them started to fall. As the shooting continued for "over a minute," according to one witness, people started to flee from the scene, trampling others in the melee.
Several bystanders hopped into action immediately following the attack, making stretchers out of police barricades, plugging wounds with their hands and ripping off their own clothing to attempt to stop the bleeding of victims. At least one man described someone dying in their arms.
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