PAA Las Vegas hospital has confirmed a number of fatalities and casualties, after a mass shooting on the city’s famous Strip.
Casinos were evacuated as armed police rushed to deal with an active shooter on the Las Vegas Strip, who has since been brought down by officers at the scene.
A Las Vegas Hospital spokesman confirmed that at least two people have been killed and 24 injured with suspected gunshot wounds. Twelve of the injured are said to be in a critical condition.
Confirming that one suspect is down. This is an active investigation. Again, please do not head down to the Strip at this time.
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) October 2, 2017
According to the BBC, 20 bodies have been found at the scene.
University Medical Center spokeswoman Danita Cohen confirmed the Las Vegas hospital has taken in ‘several’ people with gunshot wounds.
Civilians at the scene have shared footage of the horror:
SKY NEWS: "Multiple people hit. A lot of people shot," says security guard at Las Vegas concert where shooting took place pic.twitter.com/NU7kJPoeiN
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) October 2, 2017
Massive amounts of gunfire & many casualties in #LasVegas @MandalayBay concert tonight. Feels like I'm watching a repeat of Bataclan attack. pic.twitter.com/nAeFdWr20K
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) October 2, 2017
Witnesses claim the Mandalay Bay Hotel, which is adjacent to the Four Seasons, is on lockdown.
Other unverified witness reports on social media claim there were two or three shooters on the 32nd floor of the hotel who had shot at a bodyguard and police.
Footage shows the moment the sound of gunfire stops a Las Vegas concert. There are reports of multiple injuries pic.twitter.com/y5x0bA1F8N
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 2, 2017
The attack took place close by to the Route 91 Harvest open-air country music festival, from which hundreds of people fled after the gunfire was heard.
As emergency services swarmed the area, a police officer was among several people who were reported to have been shot as Jason Aldean, the American country music singer, performed on stage.
Las Vegas police shared a statement:
NEW: Police confirm one suspect is down after shooting on the Las Vegas Strip. "We have numerous victims right now" https://t.co/rLwgYdlThI pic.twitter.com/vN2bx530gP
— ABC News (@ABC) October 2, 2017
The shooting took place at around 22:30 (05:30 GMT) and police have advised people to avoid the area.
UPDATE: Las Vegas Police Department confirmed at least 50 fatalities and 200 civilian injuries have been recorded by the emergency services.
Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said officers had identified the attacker as Steven Paddock, 64, who is described as a local, lone-wolf-type actor. Officers who were alerted to the scene said Paddock was dead and did not believe there were any other shooters involved.
Families looking to locate missing loved ones should call 1-866-535-5654.
If you would like to donate blood for the injured victims of the Strip shooting visit the Labor Health & Welfare Clinic, 7135 W. Sahara.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.