Las Vegas shooting live updates: ISIS claims responsibility for attack that killed 58 near Mandalay Bay Casino

A police officer takes cover behind a police vehicle during a shooting near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

In what is being termed as the deadliest mass shooting in the US history, a gunman killed at least 58 people and wounded more than 500 at a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, raining down rapid fire from the 32nd floor of a hotel for several minutes before he was shot dead by police. Police warned the death toll may rise.  The area was packed with visitors when the shooting broke out shortly after 10 pm local time (0400 GMT).

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. As reported by Reuters, the Las Vegas shooter converted to Islam months ago, said the Islamic State news agency Amaq. Empathising with those who lost their lives, US President Donald Trump said the shooting ‘was an act of pure evil’.

HOLY SH*T 😳
My heart goes out to
everyone in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/U3gdYB4eNm

— Mike Loftus 🌐 (@MikeLoftus_) October 2, 2017

READ: What is Mandalay Bay Casino?

Las Vegas shooting Live Updates:

11:34 pm: Paying tribute to the Las Vegas shooting victims, the Eiffel tower will go dark tonight, said the Paris Mayor as quoted by news agency AFP.

11:24 pm: Deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas was ” shocking in its cruelty,” expressed Russian President Vladimir Putin in a message to US President Donald Trump.  “The crime that has taken the lives of tens of peacefu civilians is shocking in its cruelty,” Putin said according to a statement from the Kremlin, reported AFP.

11:04 pm: Following the mass shooting in Las Vegas, the stocks of US casino has fallen, reports Reuters.

09.45 pm: Aware of Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for Las Vegas shooting but advise caution on jumping to conclusions, says CIA

09.30 pm: The FBI says, “No connection has been found between Las Vegas shooter and an internatoinal terrorist group”

09.00 pm: Death toll in the attack has increased to at least 58 and the 515 people have been wounded, says Las Vegas Sheriff

08.22 pm: Donald Trump orders flag to fly at half mast after Las Vegas shooting. He says, shooting ‘was an act of pure evil’.

08.20 pm: US President Donald Trump empathises with those who lost their lives in the Las Vegas shooting. He says he’ll visit Las Vegas on Wednesday to visit first responders, families (READ STORY)

08.00 pm: Our Consulate in San Fransisco continues to monitor the situation on a real time basis. No reports have been received of any Indian nationals amongst those affected in the Las Vegas shooting incident: MEA Spokesperson

07.30 pm: The Islamic State claims responsibility for Las Vegas shooting. Las Vegas shooter converted to Islam months ago, says Islamic State news agency Amaq

07.00 pm: Pope Francis has called the killing of more than 50 people by a gunman in Las Vegas a “senseless tragedy”. “Deeply saddened to learn of the shooting in Las Vegas, Pope Francis sends the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all those affected by this senseless tragedy,” said a message sent to the Roman Catholic bishop of the Nevada city.

06.30 pm: Las Vegas Police say 406 people have been transported to area hospitals after concert attack

06.00 pm: No ‘specific credible threat’ to other public venues in US after Las Vegas shooting, says Homeland Security

05.25 pm: Reacting to the incident, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he was horrified by the attack and said the country stood ready to help however it could. “I am horrified by the awful attack at a music festival in Las Vegas this morning,” he said in a statement. “The United Kingdom stands with the American people against this indiscriminate violence. My thoughts are with all those caught up in it.” “The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in contact with Las Vegas authorities to establish whether any British people were caught up in the attack and we are ready to help however we can.”

5.01 pm: Two on-duty LVMPD officers were injured during the shooting. One is in stable condition after surgery and the other sustained minor injuriesL Las Vegas police

4.40 pm: President Donald Trump offers his condolences over the loss of many lives. “My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!,” he tweeted.

4.20 pm: News agency AFP, citing police, has named the Las Vegas gunman as Stephen Paddock.

4.09 pm: BREAKING Police say over 50 people were killed in the shooting and over 200 others injured.

“We have located the vehicles in question, and we are confident we have located the female person of interest,” said Las Vegas police.

3.45 pm: Schools in Clark County District have been given the go ahead by security officials to reopen. The Clark County School District statement on twitter said: “students & employees directly affected by the tragedy on The Strip will be excused” attending classes.

03.30 pm: The Governor of Nevada took to Twitter to offer his condolences and prayers.

A tragic & heinous act of violence has shaken the #Nevada family. Our prayers are w/ the victims & all affected by this act of cowardice.

— Governor Sandoval (@GovSandoval) October 2, 2017

3.00 pm: British Prime Minister Theresa May said Britain’s thoughts are with the victims of what she called an “appalling attack” in Las Vegas, where a gunman opened fire at a country music festival. “The UK’s thoughts are with the victims and the emergency services responding to the appalling attack in Las Vegas,” May said in a post on her official Twitter feed.

A wounded person is walked in on a wheelbarrow as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Stirp in Las Vegas Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

2.30 pm: Las Vegas police are currently on the lookout for two vehicles — Hyundai Tucson Nevada (114B40) and a Chrysler Pacifica Nevada (79D401) — associated with the shooter.

2:12 pm: Las Vegas sheriff says more than 20 people dead and more than 100 people injured at concert attack, according to the AP.

1.35 pm: At least 14 of the 24 injured are said to be critical, according to the BBC.

1.24 pm: Meanwhile, limited flight activity has resumed at McCarran International Airport in Nevada.

1.10 pm: Las Vegas police tweeted a statement: “At this time we do not believe there are any more shooters.”

1.00 pm: Jake Brown, a singer who performed at the three-day music festival, said his heart goes out to Vegas.
“Hearts out to Vegas. Route 91 concert, stage I played two nights ago. Musicians, fans, workers, you are all in our prayers right now..,” he tweeted.

Another fellow performer, Lee Brice tweeted: “Praying for everyone here in Vegas. I witnessed the most unimaginable event tonight. We are okay. Others arent. Please pray.”

This world is sick 😔

— Kane Brown (@kanebrown) October 2, 2017

12.52 pm: For those just joining us, here is a quick recap. The shooting happened on the last day of the Route 91 Harvest festival. Police confirmed that one of the suspects is down. However, two people were killed and 24 others are being treated for gun wounds. Unconfirmed reports suggest that another suspect is currently holed up inside the nearby Mandalay Bay Casino.

12.42 pm: It appears one of the suspects is holed up inside the Mandalay Bay Casino. Gunfire can be heard from the upper floor of the hotel-cum-casino. Police are investigating.

 

12.29 pm: Las Vegas police: “Confirming that one suspect is down. This is an active investigation. Again, please do not head down to the Strip at this time.”

12.20 pm: The Vegas police made an appeal to media not to “livestream or share tactical positions” of security forces.

12.15 pm: BREAKING Two people were killed and 24 injured in the shooting, according to the BBC.

12.10 pm: UPDATE: “Flights in and out of McCarran Airport have been temporarily halted in response to reported shooting incident on Las Vegas Strip.”

12.05 pm: Flights heading towards the McCarran Airport in Las Vegas are being diverted..

11.58 am: CNN is reporting that multiple people are being treated at a nearby hospital for gunshot wounds.

11.55 am: The official Twitter handle of Las Vegas police asked people to avoid the south end of the strip. “Please avoid heading to the south end of the Strip. Las Vegas Blvd is shut down at Tropicana, southbound past Russell Rd at this time,” it tweeted.

11.50 am: The BBC is reporting that a gunman open fired at a country music festival being at the famous strip.