The brother of the man identified as the gunman in what’s being called the deadliest mass shooting in recent U.S. history was at a complete loss early Monday to explain what might have precipitated the attack.
Stephen Paddock’s brother, Eric Paddock, who lives in Florida, told the Orlando Sentinel: “We are completely dumbfounded. We can’t understand what happened.”
Stephen Paddock, 64, unleashed bullets onto the Las Vegas street from a 32nd floor room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. Many of the victims were enjoying a concert performance by country music star Jason Aldean at the time of the shooting Sunday night.
By the time police had identified and approached the room, Paddock had killed himself. Authorities weren’t clear how long it was before police arrived at the room that he committed suicide.
Officials said in a Monday morning news conference that 58 have been pronounced dead, with 515 injured.
In an address to the nation, U.S. President Donald Trump called it “an act of pure evil.”
Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock appears at right and his brother, Eric, seated at left in this undated photo provided by Eric Paddock. Stephen Paddock opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest festival on Sunday, killing dozens and wounding hundreds. (Eric Paddock/Associated Press)
Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said authorities believe it was a “lone wolf” attack. The U.S. Homeland Security Department said there was no “specific credible threat” involving other public venues in the U.S.
Lombardo said there was no evidence he was linked to a militant group despite the customary claim of responsibility by ISIS following attacks in the West.
“We have no idea what his belief system was,” Lombardo said.
Paddock did not have a criminal record, according to police.
Lombardo said police found more than 10 rifles in Paddock’s possession, and that all items from the Mandalay Bay room have been seized as part of the investigation. Paddock broke the window in his room with a hammer-like device before shooting.
Paddock had checked into the hotel room on Thursday, authorities said, and police will examine surveillance video to try to get a handle on his movements in the days leading up to the mass shooting.
There was no indication anyone else helped Paddock transport the weapons into Las Vegas and his room, Lombardo said.
Residence searched
Eric Paddock said his older brother owned guns, but to his knowledge had never drawn one in anger. He said Paddock was a Florida resident before moving to Nevada two years ago.
Eric said Stephen, an accountant for many years, was a multimillionaire who made much of his money investing in real estate. He was not aware of his brother having any recent financial difficulties.
Drapes billow out of broken windows at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Monday. Authorities said the gunman used a hammer-like device to break them before shooting below. (John Locher/Associated Press)
Stephen Paddock had recently sent a walker by mail to his 90-year-old mother.
Paddock owned a single-family home in Sun City Mesquite, a retirement community along the Nevada-Arizona border, Mesquite police Chief Troy Tanner said.
He lived there with a 62-year-old woman, police said. Authorities said they don’t believe she was involved and was out of the country at the time of the shooting but they wanted to speak to her when she returned.
Paddock bought the one-storey, three-bedroom home about 120 kilometres north of Las Vegas in 2015 for about $370,000 US, according to property records that list him as a single man.