Last Sunday, October 1, Las Vegas saw the worst mass shooting in America since 1991. 66-year old terrorist (let’s call him for what he is) Stephen Paddock open fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel towards attendees of the country music Route 91 Harvest Festival.
Specifics of the Attack
About 22,000 people attended the three-day Route 91 music festival. Headliner Jason Aldean cut his set short at around 10PM when Paddock first began firing hundreds of shots. Some caught the attacks on video from different angles, showing the mayhem and fear of the attendees. They can be scrambling for cover, covering their loved ones as Paddock continued his assault. The death toll currently stands at 59 people with at least 527 more injured.
More than 50 dead as Mandalay Bay Las Vegas shooting becomes worst in U.S. history https://t.co/bgmfaaup3U pic.twitter.com/jr0UW9o12J
— TIME (@TIME) October 2, 2017
Who is Stephen Paddock?
According to family members, Stephen Paddock had no religious or political affiliations. He did, however, enjoy gambling and would drive an hour to Vegas from his home in Mesquite. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) found at least 17 guns in his hotel room where he checked in on September 28. Bodies are slowly being identified as authorities attempt to find the motive behind the attack.
Time for a Change
In the wake of the killings, a number of celebrities have used their platforms to talk about gun control laws. This list includes Ariana Grande who suffered a similar attack in Manchester just five months ago.
My heart is breaking for Las Vegas. We need love, unity, peace, gun control & for people to look at this & call this what it is = terrorism.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) October 2, 2017
Fellow musicians Hayley Williams and Lady Gaga, who recently postponed her European tour due to fibromyalgia, spoke out as well.
sick to my stomach. we have a show tonight & i don’t know what we’re supposed to tell people. other than WE NEED GUN CONTROL.
— hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) October 2, 2017
This is terrorism plain and simple. Terror bares no race, gender or religion. Democrats & Republicans please unite now #guncontrol ????????
— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) October 2, 2017
Prayers are important but @SpeakerRyan @realDonaldTrump blood is on the hands of those who have power to legislate. #GunControl act quickly. https://t.co/bXZQ7enuEp
— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) October 2, 2017
Las Vegas native Jimmy Kimmel opened his show on Monday night with tears in his eyes. In the video, he calls out the senators (complete with photos) who voted against tightening background checks when purchasing guns. “Something needs to be done already so tell your congress people to do something.”
Stay strong, Las Vegas. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this terrorist attack.
Featured image from Yahoo! Entertainment