Las Vegas tragedy as deadliest mass shooting in modern American history
A memorial at the Las Vegas welcome sign to remember those who lost their lives
October 5, 2017
On October 2nd, a 64-year-old man named Stephen Paddock fired hundreds of bullets from his 32nd floor Mandalay Bay hotel room to a field of people attending a Jason Aldean concert in Las Vegas, taking the lives of over 59 people and injuring over 500 more. Authorities consider this the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.
According to CNN, Jason Aldean described the shooting as “beyond horrific.” On his Instagram account he left a message to his many followers saying, “I still don’t know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that me and my crew are safe.”
According to Clark County NV Assistant Sheriff Todd Fasulo, Paddock had owned almost 50 guns and explosives that were found in both the hotel and his home. The F.B.I states that there was no proof that he had any ties to any currently known national terrorist group, and his family stated that he never showed interest in any strong political or ideological beliefs.
Stephen’s brother, Eric Paddock, says, “We have no idea how this happened. It’s like an asteroid just fell on top of our family” (Las Vegas Review Journal). He also describes the event as “mars falling into the earth” and said that Stephen did not even have a criminal record.
According to NBC News National Correspondent Peter Alexander, Stephen’s father was on the F.B.I’s most wanted fugitive list and a well-known bank robber and car thief who was a diagnosed psychopath with suicidal tendencies. Although his father had mental illnesses, there is no evidence supporting the claim that he had similar conditions which would contribute in determining his motive for committing this horrendous crime.
Dozens of flowers, gifts, and notes surround the Las Vegas sign
After the shooting had occurred, an enormous amount of people came to donate blood for the victims and a GoFundMe page was posted, which has already raised over $8 million: $400,000 of that coming from Stephen Cloobeck, an American businessman and $50,000 of which came out of the pockets of each team member of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.
Many other celebrities such as The Chainsmokers and Kid Rock have donated as well to support the cause. The GoFundMe page will service accommodations to the victims’ families, shelters, and supplies for those who could not return to the hotel. People who want to help can donate to the cause from the link below.
