At least 58 dead in US city of Las Vegas mass shooting

By Canberk Yuksel and Michael Hernandez

NEW YORK

At least 58 people were killed and more than 500 others wounded at a country music concert in Las Vegas in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, officials said Monday.

Authorities in the state of Nevada said Stephen Paddock opened fire late Sunday on more than 10,000 concert-goers at an outdoor venue across from the Mandalay Bay Hotel at around 10.08 p.m. local time (0508GMT Monday), Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lambardo told reporters.

Lambardo said the 64-year-old suspect is a resident of nearby Mesquite, Nevada, and made no references to terrorism, instead calling the shooting a "lone wolf" attack.

The shooter fired as many as 600 rounds in six or seven bursts with an automatic weapon for nearly four-and-a-half minutes, police said, according to media reports.

Video of the shooting showed thousands of concert-goers fleeing the venue, causing stampedes, according to witnesses.

Lombardo told reporters the shooter was found dead in his room on the 32nd floor of his hotel where he launched the attack.

President Donald Trump called the attack "an act of pure evil" in a nationally televised address Monday.

"Our unity cannot be shattered by evil. Our bonds cannot be broken by violence. And though we feel such great anger at the senseless murder of our fellow citizens, it is our love that defines us today," Trump said from the White House's Diplomatic Room.

"In times such as these I know we are searching for some kind of meaning in the chaos, some kind of light in the darkness. The answers do not come easy. But we can take solace knowing that even the darkest space can be brightened by a single light, and even the most terrible despair can be illuminated by a single ray of hope," he added.

Flags across the U.S. are to be flown at half-staff in a sign of mourning. Trump will visit Las Vegas on Wednesday to meet with law enforcement, first responders and victims' families.

Paddock

Police believe there are no additional suspects but have “located” Marilou Danley, 63, who is a “companion” of Paddock.

Paddock's brother, Eric, told reporters in Florida he had no indication Stephen held any grudges, nor did he have a history of mental illness.

"I would love to be able to give you guys some reason to this," he said. 

Without providing any evidence, Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq News Agency, saying the attacker was a recent convert to Islam. 

But the FBI said it has no indication the attack was linked to an international terrorist group. 

At least two off-duty police officers are believed to be among those slain, according to media reports.

Turkish condemnation

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan led a chorus of Turkish officials who took to Twitter to denounce the attack and offer solidarity with the U.S.

"I condemn in the strongest terms possible today's terror attack in Las Vegas, NV," Erdogan wrote. "I sincerely hope that such attacks won't happen in the future. On behalf of the Turkish people, I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and all Americans."

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also sent his condolences to the relatives of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

"As prime minister of Turkey -- a friend and ally of the United States -- I confirm our solidarity with the government and people of the United States in the face of this heinous attack," Yildirim said in a written statement.

Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said, "We wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We strongly condemn this terrible and heinous attack. We share the grief of the U.S. people." 

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote that Turkey “share[s] the grief of the U.S. administration and the American people."

The Turkish Foreign Ministry added that it is “closely following developments and investigating if any Turkish citizen is among the dead or injured with our Consulate General in Los Angeles."