Original title: Las Vegas massacre, 59 deaths, 527 injuries, the worst in modern American history
At around 10:08 p.m. local time Sunday (October 1), Las Vegas, Nevada, witnessed one of the deadliest shootings in modern American history. Up to now, the police department has announced 59 deaths and 527 injuries. Stephen paddock, a 64 year old gunman, shot himself before police entered his hotel room.
Officials in Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, said 406 people were taken to hospital and 50 died, according to the integrated media. One police officer was killed in the shooting, but the officer was not on duty at the time and two others were injured. According to the associated press, the 64 year old gunman, Stephen paddock, shot himself before police entered his hotel room. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says no specific threats have been found elsewhere in the United States.
Chinese media learned from the Chinese Embassy in the United States and the Consulate General in San Francisco that at present, the Consulate General has not received reports of casualties among Chinese citizens. The consular protection hotline of the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco said it was maintaining close contact with the police and hospitals.
The shooting took place around 10:08 a.m. west time on October 2. The gunman, Stephen Middleton padoc, was from mesquite, Nevada. Padoc hid on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas and shot at the crowds holding a country music festival near the hotel. At that time, there were many famous country music singers and a large audience at the scene.
After the shooting, people were in a mess in the shelter.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunman used automatic weapons, which caused a large number of casualties. The shooting lasted 10 to 15 minutes, and there was no pause. Some witnesses said that after the gunshot, they thought it was a mistake in fireworks or fireworks display operation. The dense gunshot sounded many times, and people evacuated or dodged in an emergency, causing on-site personnel to squeeze.
Later, Las Vegas police and FBI law enforcement officers rushed to the scene to fight back at the gunman. Many police officers were injured in the exchange of fire, one of them was seriously injured, the rest were mostly minor injuries. The gunman used a military automatic rifle, and some analysts said that this kind of gun has strong killing power. Another woman, Marilou danley, was travelling with the gunman and police are investigating and hunting, police said.
Police also blocked the streets around the site and appealed to the public not to go around the site. At present, some flights to Las Vegas have changed to other airports due to the shooting and police action.
Las Vegas police said the gunman had quarreled with the police and left a criminal record. It is reported that there are about 30000 audiences at the music festival. This is the deadliest shooting in American history. In June 2016, the Orlando shooting killed 49 people. The serious shooting caused a strong reaction in American society. U.S. President trump tweeted in the early morning of the 2nd that he would like to express his deepest sympathy and sympathy to the victims and their families in Las Vegas. '
Police said at least 10 rifles were found in the gunman's room. In response to media questions, Las Vegas Police Chief Joseph & middot Lombardo said whether to define the incident as a terrorist attack, but also to investigate the gunman's motives, to see whether the gunman is related to terrorism, or confused, just want to cause mass casualties.
In terms of the nature of the shooting, US law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the federal investigation, may have further comments. U.S. Attorney General John Sachs is meeting with top FBI officials in an emergency meeting after speaking to Clark County Police Chief Joseph middot Lombard. U.S. President trump will address the shooting in the morning. He was scheduled to address the White House on the morning of the 2nd.
The Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco is closely following the progress of the incident and has not yet received reports of casualties among Chinese citizens. After the incident, the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco set up an emergency working group headed by consul general Luo Linquan at the first time. The Consulate General said that it would continue to maintain close contact with the United States, understand the casualties of Chinese citizens, and make every effort to do a good job in consular protection and assistance.
The Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco reminded the compatriots to pay close attention to the security situation, improve their awareness of security precautions and try to avoid going to crowded areas. In case of any abnormal situation, please keep calm and call the police for help in time under the premise of ensuring your own safety. If you learn about the Chinese citizens involved in the incident, please contact the Consulate General in San Francisco at 415-2168525.
According to Xinhua news agency, Xi Jinping, President of China, called on US President Trump to express his deep sympathy to the US government and the American people, to express heartfelt condolences to the victims, to express sincere condolences to the injured, and to wish the injured to recover at an early date.
Reporters of overseas Chinese news will send back reports one after another on the spot. Please pay attention.