UPDATE as of 7:07 pm EST: The current death toll stands at 59 dead and 527 injured. Two sources tell ABC News that 19 weapons — a combination of handguns and rifles — were found in the shooter’s room.
Reports are in that there has been a mass-shooting incident on the Las Vegas strip. As of now, two people are reported dead and more than 20 hospitalized. There are thought to be around 14 people in critical condition.
The shooting began at a country music festival opposite the Mandalay Bay hotel and resort where a Jason Aldean concert was taking place. Initial reports suggest that the gunfire came from an upper window and was aimed down into the crowd.
Las Vegas Police Sgt. Jeff Clark told reporters:
“We do have one suspect down, and we want people to steer clear of the area.”
Police have made it known that they don’t believe there are any more shooters and that a “suspicious device” found nearby at the Luxor hotel has been investigated.
Reports
A concertgoer has Tweeted out his video of the events. In the footage, you can hear sustained bursts of gunfire as the crowd slowly begin to realize that they are under threat.
Video courtesy of Drew Akioshi. He was attending the concert at mandalay bay when shooting started. pic.twitter.com/mbyh9Y387q
— David Sakach (@davidsakach) October 2, 2017
Eyewitness reports of the shooting are available, with many expressing their incredulity in shocked tones:
Alfonzo Ewing, 37 said. “We heard reports of gunshots and customers rushed to jump the counter for safety. Everyone just took off running from the White Castle and the hotel. Employees and customers went downstairs to hide in the break room. We’re here now, 15 of us, with customers. We’re safe but we don’t know what’s happening.”
Seth Bayles, another concertgoer visiting from Hollywood, who was just 50ft from the stage, said:
“I thought it was like bottle rockets going off,” Bayles said. “Then we saw people dropping. We saw someone get hit and then we started running.” “We saw people down all over the place.”
The Status
No information has yet been released regarding the shooter’s motivation or identity. Authorities have shut down areas of the strip and surrounding roads, while guests at the Mandalay Bay have been moved to a shelter.
More videos of the events are being released that show the true terror felt by people involved. Not knowing whether to run or lie down, not knowing where the shots are coming from and of course, not knowing why they are being targeted for death by an unknown assailant.
#LasVegas Shooting: 2 reported dead; police warn of multiple shooters https://t.co/LB96FdQSd3 (Video: @randy_kindred_girl, instagram) pic.twitter.com/t2xG2VsPDl
— The Rational Times (@Rational_Times) October 2, 2017
