Hundreds gather to mourn 58 victims of Las Vegas massacre

Hundreds of people gathered at vigils held across Las Vegas on Tuesday night to honor and mourn the 58 victims who lost their lives when a gunman opened fire at a music festival. 

Stephen Paddock, 64, injured more than 500 people in the senseless attack Sunday night from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel before turning the gun on himself.  

Tributes continue to pour in for those who were caught up in the sick act of violence and vigils have been held in Las Vegas and around the world. 

Some of those shot sacrificed their lives for their loved-ones. Others died while trying to get people out of the firing line. Many were mothers and fathers. Others were first responders, medical workers and security guards. 

Hundreds of people gathered at vigils held across Las Vegas on Tuesday night to honor and mourn the 58 victims who lost their lives when a gunman opened fire at a music festival

Stephen Paddock, 64, injured more than 500 people in the senseless attack Sunday night from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel before turning the gun on himself. Tributes continue to pour in for those who were caught up in the sick act of violence and vigils have been held in Las Vegas (pictured) and around the world

Stephen Paddock, 64, injured more than 500 people in the senseless attack Sunday night from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel before turning the gun on himself. Tributes continue to pour in for those who were caught up in the sick act of violence and vigils have been held in Las Vegas (pictured) and around the world

Some of those shot sacrificed their lives for their loved-ones. Others died while trying to get people out of the firing line. Friends hug one another during a vigil at the University of Las Vegas 

Some of those shot sacrificed their lives for their loved-ones. Others died while trying to get people out of the firing line. Friends hug one another during a vigil at the University of Las Vegas 

A few victims were first responders, medical workers and security guards. Some lit candles and held each other close, while others held signs and wore shirts with #VegasStrong (pictured) written across them

A few victims were first responders, medical workers and security guards. Some lit candles and held each other close, while others held signs and wore shirts with #VegasStrong (pictured) written across them

A candlelight vigil was held on the Las Vegas strip following the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival

A candlelight vigil was held on the Las Vegas strip following the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival

A young woman lights candles at a vigil on the Las Vegas strip following the mass shooting at the music festival 

A young woman lights candles at a vigil on the Las Vegas strip following the mass shooting at the music festival 

'Pray 4 Las Vegas': This sign was left near a vigil in Las Vegas on Tuesday night 

‘Pray 4 Las Vegas’: This sign was left near a vigil in Las Vegas on Tuesday night 

Photos show hundreds of people turning out to remember the victims and pray for their families. 

Some people were seen crying as they laid flowers down near a makeshift memorial. Others gathered in front of the Bellagio Hotel’s iconic fountains as they shared heartfelt messages of love and peace on a poster in honor of the victims. 

Many lit candles and held each other close, while others held signs and wore shirts with #VegasStrong written across them. 

A single rose was placed outside the door of the Mandalay Bay hotel. 

Other messages of hope for the world paid tribute to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Texas, Florida, and Mexico, all areas that were devastated by Hurricanes Irma, Katia, and Maria. 

On Monday night, hundreds of mourners in Nashville, Tennessee, held a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting. 

Others gathered in front of the Bellagio Hotel's iconic fountains as they shared heartfelt messages of love and peace on a poster in honor of the victims.#VegasStrong written across them. Some people were seen crying as they laid flowers down near a makeshift memorial.

Others gathered in front of the Bellagio Hotel’s iconic fountains as they shared heartfelt messages of love and peace on a poster in honor of the victims

Some people were seen crying as they laid flowers down near a makeshift memorial

Some people were seen crying as they laid flowers down near a makeshift memorial

People pause at a memorial set up for victims of a mass shooting in Las Vegas, Tuesday. A mother was seen kissing her daughter on the cheek during the vigil 

People pause at a memorial set up for victims of a mass shooting in Las Vegas, Tuesday. A mother was seen kissing her daughter on the cheek during the vigil 

Mourners hold up their right hand as they pledge to spread peace and love as they attend a candlelight vigil at the corner of Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard for the victims of Sunday night's mass shooting

Mourners hold up their right hand as they pledge to spread peace and love as they attend a candlelight vigil at the corner of Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard for the victims of Sunday night’s mass shooting

Photos showed hundreds of people turning out to remember the victims and pray for their families

Photos showed hundreds of people turning out to remember the victims and pray for their families

Jonathan Neighbors, 15, of Botetourt County, Virginia, adds light to one of the 58 luminaries on Monday set on the front steps of Greene Memorial United Methodist Church for victims of the the Sunday evening shooting in Las Vegas

Jonathan Neighbors, 15, of Botetourt County, Virginia, adds light to one of the 58 luminaries on Monday set on the front steps of Greene Memorial United Methodist Church for victims of the the Sunday evening shooting in Las Vegas

A woman places a candle at a memorial for victims of the mass shooting Tuesday. Several signs were also placed at the makeshift memorial 

A woman places a candle at a memorial for victims of the mass shooting Tuesday. Several signs were also placed at the makeshift memorial 

Students from University of Nevada Las Vegas gathered outside on campus during a vigil for the victims 

Students from University of Nevada Las Vegas gathered outside on campus during a vigil for the victims 

Several Las Vegas residents were seen holding #VegasStrong signs (pictured) as they attended vigil. Kristin Alexander participated in a vigil held at City Hall in Las Vegas 

Several Las Vegas residents were seen holding #VegasStrong signs (pictured) as they attended vigil. Kristin Alexander participated in a vigil held at City Hall in Las Vegas 

Photos showed people weeping as they held close their candle in honor of the victims. Singer and songwriter Keith Urban performed Bridge Over Troubled Water during the vigil held in Nashville. 

In New York, dozens of New York University students also held a vigil following the shooting. 

On Monday night, the Eiffel Tower went dark for the men and women who tragically lost their lives in Las Vegas as well as the two young women who were knifed to death in a separate incident in Marseille.

The Empire State Building also dimmed it’s lights in honor of the victims. 

Members of the Utah Jazz observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting, prior to their game against the Sydney Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena. 

Three referees also bowed their heads during a moment of silence before the game between the Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

About 22,000 people were attending the third day of the country music festival, which featured top acts like Eric Church and Sam Hunt.

Photos of the hotel on Monday morning show two windows on the 32nd floor shattered. It’s believed that Paddock was staying in a large suite or connected rooms and was shooting down on the concertgoers below from both windows.

Natalynn Rivis, a student at University of Nevada Las Vegas, right, took part in a vigil on Monday

Natalynn Rivis, a student at University of Nevada Las Vegas, right, took part in a vigil on Monday

Other messages of hope for the world paid tribute to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Texas, Florida, and Mexico, all areas that were devastated by Hurricanes Irma, Katia, and Maria

Other messages of hope for the world paid tribute to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Texas, Florida, and Mexico, all areas that were devastated by Hurricanes Irma, Katia, and Maria

A single rose was placed outside the door of the Mandalay Bay hotel

A single rose was placed outside the door of the Mandalay Bay hotel

People pause at a memorial set up for victims of a mass shooting. One woman was seen crying as she held her hands close to her face 

People pause at a memorial set up for victims of a mass shooting. One woman was seen crying as she held her hands close to her face 

On Monday night, hundreds of mourners in Nashville, Tennessee, held a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting

On Monday night, hundreds of mourners in Nashville, Tennessee, held a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting

In New York, dozens of New York University students also held a vigil following the shooting

In New York, dozens of New York University students also held a vigil following the shooting

The Eiffel Tower before it went dark on Monday

On Monday night, the Eiffel Tower went dark for the men and women who tragically lost their lives in Las Vegas as well as the two young women who were knifed to death in a separate incident in Marseille

On Monday night, the Eiffel Tower went dark for the men and women who tragically lost their lives in Las Vegas as well as the two young women who were knifed to death in a separate incident in Marseille

The Empire State Building also dimmed it's lights in honor of the victims

The Empire State Building also dimmed it’s lights in honor of the victims

Fifty-five of the 58 victims have been identified by loved ones and friends. Some of those shot sacrificed their lives for their loved-ones.  Many were mothers and fathers. Others were first responders, medical workers and security guards

Fifty-five of the 58 victims have been identified by loved ones and friends. Some of those shot sacrificed their lives for their loved-ones. Many were mothers and fathers. Others were first responders, medical workers and security guards

Natalie Vanderstay couldn't hold back her tears as she answered questions from her hospital bed at University Medical Center on Tuesday in Las Vegas

Vanderstay was shot in the stomach and suffered a leg injury during the shooting

Natalie Vanderstay couldn’t hold back her tears as she answered questions from her hospital bed at University Medical Center on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Vanderstay was shot in the stomach and suffered a leg injury during the shooting 

Police were able to pinpoint where the shooter was firing from because the gunfire set off fire alarms in the hotel.

They responded to the room and breached the door using explosives. But by the time they entered the room it was too late – Paddock had shot himself dead. Inside the room, they found an ‘arsenal’ of 23 firearms.

Paddock had four Daniel Defense DDM4 rifles, three FN-15s and other rifles made by Sig Sauer.

It appears that he bought the gun legally and at least six of the weapons were purchased at a Cabela’s in Verdi, Nevada.

Others were purchased from Discount Firearms and Ammo, a few blocks from the strip in Las Vegas, and at  Guns and Guitars located in Mesquite.

On Monday morning, heavily-armed police raided Paddock’s home in a retirement community in Mesquite, which he shared with his girlfriend Marilou Danley. Authorities found another 19 guns at the home. 

Danley, 62, was initially called a person of interest in the shooting, because she appeared to have checked into the hotel with him. But when police called her after the shooting, they found out she had been out of the country and that Danley had used her ID to check into the hotel alone on September 28. 

However, on Tuesday night Danley was met by federal investigators after landing at LAX airport. 

Referees bow their heads during a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shootings before the game between the Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium

Referees bow their heads during a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shootings before the game between the Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium

Members of the Utah Jazz observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting, prior to their game against the Sydney Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena

Members of the Utah Jazz observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting, prior to their game against the Sydney Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena

Members of the Denver Nuggets stand as they paid tribute to the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, prior to a preseason NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday 

Members of the Denver Nuggets stand as they paid tribute to the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, prior to a preseason NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday 

Danley, who authorities described as a ‘person of interest’ following Sunday’s shooting spree, arrived to the US from the Philippines.

She had been in the southeast Asian country before the shooting occurred. It remains unclear if Danley had prior knowledge of the shooting, according to The New York Times. 

Authorities in the Philippines said that Danley had been in Manilla since September 22, more than a week before the shooting.

Investigations are still ongoing and police have not yet determined a motive. Paddock was not believed to be connected to any militant group, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said on Monday. 

Paddock was a local resident with no prior criminal convictions in the state of Nevada. He lived just 90 minutes outside Las Vegas in the city of Mesquite, where he purchased a home in a retirement community for just over $369,000 in 2015 according to public records.

Paddock was a local resident with no prior criminal convictions in the state of Nevada. He lived just 90 minutes outside Las Vegas in the city of Mesquite, where he purchased a home in a retirement community for just over $369,000 in 2015 according to public records

Paddock was a local resident with no prior criminal convictions in the state of Nevada. He lived just 90 minutes outside Las Vegas in the city of Mesquite, where he purchased a home in a retirement community for just over $369,000 in 2015 according to public records

He had both hunting and fishing licenses according to public records, as well as his pilot’s license.

The retired accountant had worked as an internal auditor at Lockheed Martin for three years in the late 1980s, and was a manager and investor in apartment complexes located in Mesquite, Texas and California which made him millions, according to his brother.

Paddock was also the son of Benjamin Hoskins Paddock, a serial bank robber who ended up on the FBI Most Wanted list back in 1969 when he escaped from federal prison in Texas while serving a 20 years sentence.

The FBI kept him on the list for the next eight years, and he was eventually found one year after he was removed from the list in 1978 while outside an Oregon Bingo hall.

The agency said that the fugitive had been ‘diagnosed as psychopathic’ and also had possible ‘suicidal tendencies’.

Paddock is retired and often visits Las Vegas to gamble, his brother told NBC News. Eric said police identified his brother through a wallet that was found on his body.

In an interview with DailyMail.com, Eric said that something must have happened to his brother to make him snap.

‘He was just a guy. Something happened, he snapped or something,’ Eric said from his home in Orlando, Florida.

‘We know absolutely nothing, this is just, we are dumbfounded.’

Eric said his brother wasn’t religious, political or had any mental illness that he knows of. The last time he spoke with him was after Hurricane Maria, when Paddock called to check in on their 90-year-old mother.

‘Our condolences to everyone,’ Eric said. ‘We just don’t understand. It’s like an asteroid just fell out of the sky and we have no reason, rhyme, rationale, excuse – there’s just nothing.’

Pictures of the Mandalay Bay hotel on Monday morning showed two windows blown out on the 32nd flood. 

Hundreds of rounds of automatic gunfire were reported by witnesses at the scene

Hundreds of rounds of automatic gunfire were reported by witnesses at the scene

People scrambled over barriers to get to safety as the gunfire rages on at the Las Vegas event

People scrambled over barriers to get to safety as the gunfire rages on at the Las Vegas event

A Monday morning photo showed two windows blown out on the 32nd floor. Police believe Paddock was firing out of both

A Monday morning photo showed two windows blown out on the 32nd floor. Police believe Paddock was firing out of both

Authorities said Paddock may have booked a large room or connecting rooms, and was firing out of both windows. 

Video from close to the stage showed people hitting the floor as others crawled to safety or ran for their lives. Audio from further back in the crowd captured several bursts of sustained automatic gunfire.

Witnesses said ‘hundreds’ of rounds of ammunition were emptied into the crowd, with Paddock stopping several times to reload as he carried out his massacre.

The crowd initially got calmly down on the ground, but as more people fell to the gunfire, mass panic took hold and people began to stampede from the scene, according to witnesses. 

Video footage of the shooting shows performer Jason Aldean on stage as the automatic gunfire rings out.

Aldean continues performing for ten seconds as the gunfire rings out constantly, only stopping after screams begin to rise from the crowds.

People in the crowds argue over whether they just heard gunshots as the lights on the stage dim and Aldean and his band leave.

He later posted a message on Instagram that read: ‘Tonight has been beyond horrific. 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. #heartbroken #stopthehate’

Las Vegas police swept through a convention center area during a lockdown on Monday at the Tropicana Las Vegas following the shooting 

Las Vegas police swept through a convention center area during a lockdown on Monday at the Tropicana Las Vegas following the shooting 

People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after gunfire was heard. Witnesses said they initially ducked down at the command of police, but panic then took hold and there was a stampede

People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after gunfire was heard. Witnesses said they initially ducked down at the command of police, but panic then took hold and there was a stampede

Police and rescue personnel gathered at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue - one block north of the music festival - after the mass shooting

Police and rescue personnel gathered at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue – one block north of the music festival – after the mass shooting

Derek and Karen Bernard, 53 and 51, from LA  where witnesses to the shooting at the Mandalay bay hotel Sunday night

Family members and friends were seen comforting each other after the shooting on Sunday

Family members and friends were seen comforting each other after the shooting on Sunday  

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk