More than 50 people were killed and 200 injured when a gunman opened fire from a perch high in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas Sunday night, making it the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history.
Vegas Police Dept said the suspected gunman, who was believed to be a local resident, was on 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay hotel. Police responded to the scene, engaged him and he is now dead. Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock.
As bursts of gunfire crackled in the air, people outside of the casino ducked and screamed, according to video filmed by witnesses.
“We’re going to get trampled if we don’t go,” a bystander could be heard saying in a dramatic video of the incident. Confusion appeared to abound as those outside fled the scene with another person saying, “it’s fireworks.”
An official with McCarran International Airport said “an airport perimeter fence near the concert venue was breached by people fleeing the scene of the incident.”
“Airport staff responded and have transported those people to the designated evacuation site,” the officials said. “The fence line is once again secured.”
Flights in and out of the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas were temporarily halted due to the incident.
ATF agents have responded to the scene and the FBI is assisting with the investigation. The FBI is also supporting local law enforcement efforts in Las Vegas.
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