Las Vegas shooting: 58 killed, 515 injured; US denies ISIS connection

Fifty-eight people were killed and at least 500 people have suffered serious injuries in a mass shooting at an open air concert in Las Vegas on Monday.

US probing agencies identified the lone gunman as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock with no previous criminal records.

Sleuths told the media that Paddock opened fire at the concertgoers attending ‘Route 91 Festival’  from 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino where he has been staying since last Thursday.

Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told the reporters, “The number of people who have died associated with this event has increased. Right now we’re using the number of 58.”

He added, “The number of injured — we are using the number of 515.”

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Police suspect the mass killer was a local Las Vegas man Stephen Paddock who carried out the act alone and was not connected to any militant group, Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told the reporters.

“Right now, we believe he was the sole aggressor. We have no idea what his belief system was,” added Lombardo.

Lombardo further added that there were rumors of other shootings or explosives such as car bombs in the area were false.

He added that video taken of the attack showed panicked crowds fleeing as sustained rapid gunfire ripped through the area.

My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2017

The officials said the gunman who opened fire on concertgoers on the Las Vegas strip killed himself before officers broke into his hotel room.

The security officers who broke into the hotel room from where Paddock opened fire at the concert have recovered 10 rifles and several documents.

Sheriff Joseph Lombardo talking to reporters said, “We have recovered rifles and several documents.”

An FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told the media that Paddock had a private pilot's license and the FAA is gathering his records.

Investigative officers on examining the recovered documents have learnt that the Las Vegas killer was staying in Mesquite, a town on Las Vegas Strip state line 82 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

Islamic State a few hours after the incident has claimed that Paddock has recently adopted Islam recently. However, FBI denied the claims made by the radical Islamic terrorist group.

Also read| Las Vegas shooting: Police believe shooter killed himself

MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said no reports have been received of any Indian nationals amongst those affected in the incident.