President Donald Trump has held a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting, and ordered the flag flown at half-staff in mourning.
The first lady as well as Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence joined Trump on the south lawn of the White House on Monday afternoon for the somber moment of silence.
As of Monday evening, 59 were confirmed dead and 527 injured at the hands of gunman Stephen Paddock in the worst shooting in modern US history.
‘Our nation is heartbroken. We mourn with all whose loved ones were murdered and injured in last night’s horrible tragedy in Las Vegas, Nevada,’ the president said in a statement on Monday.
Donald and Melania Trump are seen leaving the South Portico of the White House on Monday to lead a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas massacre
The first lady (left) as well as Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence (right) joined Trump on the south lawn of the White House for the moment of silence
‘As we grieve, we pray that God may provide comfort and relief to all those suffering,’ the president said.
Trump ordered the flag flown at half-staff at all federal facilities and overseas embassies until sunset on October 6.
Earlier on Monday, the Senate also held a moment of silence, as the nation struggled to process the magnitude of Sunday night’s attack on a country music festival where thousands had gathered.
Meanwhile across Capitol Hill, Democrats were quick to call for new gun control laws in the wake of the tragedy, while Republicans remained silent on the issue.
‘Thoughts & prayers are NOT enough. Not when more moms & dads will bury kids this week, & more sons & daughters will grow up without parents,’ Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a morning tweet.
The president and first lady observe a moment of silence for the dead and wounded
The flag over the White House is flown at half-staff in memory of the Las Vegas victims
Senator Chris Murphy, whose home state of Connecticut was the scene of the Sandy Hook mass shooting in 2012 that killed 26, was blunter.
‘It’s time for Congress to get off its a** and do something,’ the Democrat said in a statement.
Manwhile, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican, said in a statement on Monday: ‘The whole country stands united in our shock, in our condolences and in our prayers.’
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, also a Republican, led his chamber in a moment of silence following the ‘devastating’ massacre and urged ‘national mourning’ and prayer.