Las Vegas Massacre Updates: Gunman 'Pre-Planned Shooting Extensively,' Police Say
The investigation behind the Las Vegas massacre on Sunday reveals that the whole scheme was meticulously planned by the shooter.
Stephen Paddock, 64, who opened fire on a crowd attending the country music festival held at the Las Vegas Strip from his suite on the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay carefully plotted the massacre from the choice of the hotel room to his weapons cache which he managed to bring in his room. And on Tuesday afternoon, authorities announced that the gunman had cameras installed inside his suite as well as in the hallway.
"It was pre-planned, extensively, and I'm pretty sure that he evaluated everything that he did in his actions, which is troublesome," Joseph Lombardo, sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated at a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon.
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According to Lombardo, one camera was placed by the gunman in a food service cart in the hallway outside of his suite. However, The police are still trying to find out if the cameras were activated, and the FBI is determining their use. The Clark County's sheriff believes that they were used to monitor the area for anyone approaching the room.
Police are also investigating the unauthorized distribution of images of the crime scene, including the bullet-riddled door of Paddock's room on the 32nd floor. He reportedly fired at hotel security before he took his own life.
Paddock, a retired account and now the deadliest mass murderer in U.S. history, claimed the lives of 59 people and left over 500 injured. Some are still recovering from gunshots while others from stampede injuries from trying to flee the grounds. The motive behind the massacre has yet to be determined.
The owner of New Frontier Armory in Las Vegas and his employees have been receiving hate mail and threats for selling several firearms to Paddock earlier this year. The gunman reportedly had no trouble purchasing the firearms as he met all state and federal requirements. He also passed various background checks.
