Las Vegas shooting
Representational image. Photo: David Becker/Getty Images

ISIS has been claimed the shooting that has left at least 58 dead in Las Vegas. SITE Intel Group, the group's propaganda agency, announced that the attacker is an "Islamic State soldier" converted to Islam a few months ago.

The jihadist organization has assured that the assailant responded to his call to attack the member countries of the international coalition that fights against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. However, the FBI has dismissed the claims. Special Agent in Charge Aaron Rouse said at a news conference Monday that the shooter had no connection to an international terrorist group.

Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire using long range rifles from the 32nd floor of his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay Casino, to the crowd that was enjoying the three-day Route 91 Harvest Festival, an outdoor country music show.

The attacker fired in at least 3 different rounds, but it is unknown if the pauses were loading the same rifle with more ammunition or changing weapon. Later Sheriff Joseph (Joe) Lombardo said officers found 10 rifles in Paddock’s room, where he checked in Sept. 28.

CNN informed Paddock was found dead in his room when a police SWAT team broke down the door. Authorities believe Paddock killed himself. According to the local police, he had been living in a retiree community 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

Mesquite, Nevada, police spokesman Quinn Averett, said: "What's unique for us is the gunman, the shooter, and the person with him, we in the Mesquite Police Department have not had any contact with these people in the past. We haven't had any traffic stops, any law enforcement contact, no arrests or nothing."

Sheriff Lombardo wasn't sure if this was an act of terrorism."We have to establish what his motivation was first," Lombardo said. "There's motivating factors associated with terrorism other than a distraught person just intending to cause mass casualties. Before we label with that, it'll be a matter of process."

So far the authorities have reported 58 fatal victims and more than 500 injured. Among the dead were identified at least three police officers from various departments who were attending the concert, and the police also confirmed that the attacker was dead. Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said authorities believed this was a "lone wolf" attack, while the U.S. Homeland Security Department said there was no "specific credible threat" involving other public venues in the U.S.

Las Vegas Metro Police have set up a family reunion center at Metro Plaza, 400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd. Families seeking information on the welfare of loved ones should call 866-535-5654.

In the same order Las Vegas authorities are calling for blood donations for people who are injured and are located in different hospitals in the area. United Blood Services is open to let people donate blood at: 6930 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, 89117 and 601 Whitney Ranch, # 20, Henderson, 89014.

© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.