FBI asks people for digital evidence of Las Vegas shooting

An article about the horrific shooting in Las Vegas was the first thing I saw after getting on the computer this morning. Using Google to search for “Las Vegas shooting” showed an SOS alert at the top of the search results; Google launched SOS alerts in July to help people in a crisis. And this is a crisis, as the shooting on the Las Vegas strip has been dubbed the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Immediately after a tragedy, the media often gets the facts wrong, but it is currently being reported that “over 50” people were killed and more than 500 people were injured and taken to area hospitals after the shooting.

Dozens of heartbreaking videos posted on social media show thousands of country music concertgoers screaming, running and diving for cover as the shooter emptied magazine after magazine of bullets down into the crowd of 22,000 people (pdf) attending the last night of the Route 91 Harvest festival.

Stephen Paddock, the 64-year-old gunman, open fire with an automatic weapon around 10 p.m. PT from his hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Las Vegas SWAT found Paddock dead in his room. They believe he killed himself right before they burst into his room where police found “more than 10 rifles.”

During a news briefing, Sheriff Joseph Lombardo called Paddock a “lone wolf.” Lombardo said, “We have no investigative information or background associated with this individual that is derogatory. The only thing we can tell is he received a citation several years ago; that citation was handled as a matter of normal practice in the court system.”

According to CBS News, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said, “There is no ‘specific credible threat’ involving other public venues in the U.S. after the shooting.” So far, the massacre is not believed to have links to overseas terrorism groups.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department tweeted that “families looking to locate missing loved ones” should call 1-866-535-5654. Others are turning to Facebook’s safety check.

About two dozen flights coming into McCarran International Airport were diverted during the crisis. With so many hundreds injured, the local police beseeched the community to donate blood. Shortly after 4 a.m., dozens of people had already lined up to donate blood.

In President Trump’s tweet, he sent his “warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families.”

FBI asks for videos, photos of shooting

The Las Vegas FBI took to Twitter to ask for digital evidence.

@FBILasVegas is asking anyone with videos or photos from the 10/1/17 Las Vegas shooting to please call 1-800-CALLFBI (255-5324)

— FBI Las Vegas (@FBILasVegas) October 2, 2017

In this day and age, where most everyone carries a smartphone, there should be thousands of photos and videos.

It is unknown if anyone has a video of the couple who allegedly warned people on the front row of the concert that “they were going to die.” At least that is what one concertgoer told Channel 3 NBC Las Vegas.

Terrifying. Woman celebrating 21st birthday was in front row. Says another woman came during show & told everyone they were going to die. pic.twitter.com/kwe00GMmqR

— Ryan McKinnell (@RyanMcKinnell) October 2, 2017

The LVMPD had been looking for two vehicles, as well as Marilou Danley as a person of interest. However, the police no longer believe Danley was involved in the shooting. A TV news segment from CNN claimed Paddock used some of Danley’s identification to obtain the room.

In the hours, days and weeks to come, we’ll learn more. But in the words of Jason Aldean — the singer on stage when the shooting started — please pray for Las Vegas.