At least 59 people have been killed and 527 wounded so far in a horrific gun attack at a country music festival a short distance from the Mandalay Bay Hotel Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday night.
Condemnation from world leaders was swift, as the numbers of deaths were continuing to rise.
After the deadliest mass shooting in recent U.S. history, President Trump addressed the nation in a sombre address from the White House.
He praised the emergency services for saving lives with their quick response and described the incident as “an act of pure evil”.
He then observed a moment of silence with First Lady Melania by his side.
Her Majesty The Queen said that she and Prince Philip were “saddened” to hear about the “terrible attack” in Las Vegas as news of the atrocity reverberated around the world.
And in a letter of condolence to President Donald Trump, she noted that their “thoughts and prayers were with the victims and their families and those who have been injured”.
Prime Minister Theresa May, said in a statement, said she had spoken to President Trump to offer her condolences and those of the country.
“This was an individual shooting randomly, a completely senseless and cowardly attack,” she said.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson commented that he was “horrified” by the attack.
He confirmed the Foreign Office was liaising with Las Vegas authorities to ascertain if British people were caught up in the attack.
The Jewish Mayor of Las Vegas, Carolyn G. Goodman, asked her followers in a tweet to “Pray for Las Vegas.”
She also thanked the first responders to the scene for their efforts.
In response to the shooting American Jewish Congress President Jack Rosen, Vice President Dr. Munr Kazmir and Secretary of the Organization Dr. Ben Chouake released a joint statement:
“As details of the appalling shooting in Las Vegas emerge, the American Jewish Congress’ thoughts are with those effected and their families. This was a cowardice act of hate against a defenceless group of revellers, guilty of nothing more than enjoying a concert. Worldwide, attacks of this nature are all too common, as a society we need to fight this hate and ensure that our values of freedom and tolerance prevail.”
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis backed a plea for Tehillim to be recited for Chana Rochel bas Sara who is among victims of the mass shooting.
At the time of going to press, Yeshiva World News sources confirmed that Chana Rochel was awaiting surgery after being shot in the face by the gunman.
The Chief Rabbi commented on Twitter: “The sheer scale of the loss of life in Las Vegas places it among the most harrowing, murderous attacks of its kind ever recorded. As the facts of this massacre become clear, each of us faces a choice. We can either join in with the raging chorus of inevitable recriminations and counter-recriminations or we can resolve to honour the victims and their families and to defy the wishes of the perpetrator by spreading a message of hope and peace. I urge you to join me in choosing the latter. May the memory of all those who lost their lives be for a blessing.”
The gunman, who killed himself before police stormed his room at the luxury hotel, to find him surrounded by 10 guns, was named as Stephen Paddock.
The 64-year-old Nevada resident opened fire from a hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Las Vegas casino-hotel towards the open-air Route 91 music festival attended by 22,000 fans.
Singer Jason Aldean was the final performer of the night on stage at the time of the shooting.
Among the dead and injured are police officers.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a number of hotels on the famous strip were placed in police lockdown and areas of Las Vegas Boulevard was shut.
Authorities within hours confirmed 527 victims had been injured and taken to the hospital.
While the shooting took place tens of thousands of music fans screamed whilst running for cover from the shooter.
SWAT teams using explosives stormed the gunman’s hotel room.
Eye-witnesses described the scene as chaotic as people ran for their lives.
Sheriff Joe Lombardo in a news conference said Paddock was a “local individual and lone wolf”.
Paddock was identified as coming from Mesquite, Nevada, around 80 miles north-east of Las Vegas.
Paddock was reportedly unknown to police and his motives remained a mystery while an extensive investigation developed.
Police were still trying to ascertain a motive for the attack and there was no indication the incident was connected to terrorism.