Shame for humanity: 58 people killed after gunman opens fire on concert-goers in Las Vegas
At least 58 people have been killed and more than 500 injured after at least one gunman opened fire on concert-goers on the popular Las Vegas Strip in the US state of Nevada. The mass shooting took place late on Sunday outside a building at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino during the Route 91 country festival. More than 22,000 people were in attendance at the concert.
Police named the shooter as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, who they said fired into the crowd from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel. The suspected attacker was later found dead in his hotel room, a police statement said (for more see http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/las-vegas-shooting-20-killed-scores-wounded-171002092103925.html )
“The Las Vegas attack was carried out by a soldier of the Islamic State and he carried it out in response to calls to target states of the coalition,” Reuters cited the Amaq, IS-affiliated website. “The Las Vegas attacker converted to Islam a few months ago.”
The terrorist group did not name the attacker but claimed that he “executed the operation in response to calls to target countries of the coalition.” However, no proof was provided to back the terrorists’ claims.
The attacker did not affiliate himself with any political or religious group, the brother of the gunman, Eric Paddock, from Orlando, said.
“No religious affiliation. No political affiliation,” he told CBS News.
Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said authorities believe it was a “lone wolf” attack.
US security agencies are assessing the IS claim but have not verified it, Reuters reports, citing officials. Two unnamed senior US officials told Reuters that no evidence suggested a connection between the shooter and any international militant group (source: https://www.rt.com/usa/405409-isis-responsibility-vegas-shooting/ )
