Gunman Kills At Least 50 Music Festival Attendees In Las Vegas

The Route 91 Harvest country music festival came to a tragic end on Sunday night when a gunman opened fire on the audience of people watching Jason Aldean performing on the Las Vegas Strip. Fifty attendees were killed and approximately 406 people were transported to area hospitals according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).

The LVMPD has identified the lone suspect as 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock, a white male from Mesquite, Nevada. As per the LVMPD, Paddock opened fire on Route 91 festivalgoers from his room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel at approximately 10:08 p.m. local time. Approximately 22,000 people were attending the event, which took place on the Las Vegas Strip across the street from Mandalay Bay. LVMPD officers found Paddock dead when they reached his room.

Local officials are asking for anyone wishing to help donate blood for the injured victims to head to United Blood Services two locations starting at 7 a.m.: 6930 W. Charleston in Las Vegas or 601 Whitney Ranch Drive in Henderson.

“Tonight has been beyond horrific,” Aldean wrote in an Instagram post. “I still don’t know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that Me and my Crew are safe. My Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night.”