Casualties rise sharply, IS claims responsibility for Las Vegas massacre

At least 59 people were killed and 527 injured in a mass shooting at a Las Vegas concert on October 2.

» The most horrific shootings in American history

» Shooting at US music festival, more than 50 people dead

That's the latest updated casualty figure provided by police.

Stephen Paddock

According to BBC, the gunman, Stephen Paddock, 64, is a resident of Nevada. The suspect opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, targeting an outdoor music festival attended by about 22,000 people.

Paddock killed himself before police stormed the room, where they found 10 guns.

Investigators concluded that the incident had no connection to international terrorism, despite a claim of responsibility from the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

In a speech from the White House, President Donald Trump described the attack as "evil". He praised the efforts of emergency services, describing the speed with which they saved lives as "miraculous", and announced that he would travel to Las Vegas on October 4. Appearing alongside First Lady Melania, the US President then observed a moment of silence on the White House lawn.

Photo: Reuters

Photo: AP

The three-day Route 91 country music festival, and the shooting, marred the final performances of the event. The hail of bullets sent hundreds of people running frantically, some even lying on the ground, to find shelter or help others escape.

Authorities have cordoned off several hotels near the scene. Parts of Las Vegas are paralyzed.

According to police, Stephen Paddock - a member of an upscale residential community in the small town of Mesquite, northeast of Las Vegas - booked a hotel room on September 28.

Photo: AP

The motive for the shooter who opened fire on a crowd and committed the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history remains a mystery. Some investigators have suggested that he was mentally ill, but there has been no confirmation of that theory.

The suspect's brother, Eric, described Stephen Paddock as a wealthy man who enjoyed playing video poker and traveling. He said his brother was a gentle person. "He never pulled a gun. It's absurd," Eric added.

IS claims responsibility

Last night, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) organization claimed responsibility for the shooting. The Independent news agency quoted a message from IS, which said the attacker was a self-proclaimed "soldier of the Islamic State."

"The Las Vegas attacker was an Islamic State fighter responding to calls to target coalition countries," the message reads.

In a second message, IS claimed the gunman "converted to Islam" several months ago.

The world mourns

On the same day, the Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to his US counterpart Donald Trump. The Kremlin's statement quoted Mr. Putin in a telegram to President Trump saying: "This crime of killing dozens of peace-loving people causes outrage because of its brutality."

British Prime Minister Theresa May also sent her condolences to Mr Trump. Speaking in a televised interview, Mrs May said: "This was a random shooting - an absolutely senseless and cowardly attack - which has left many people dead and injured. I have offered the US their full support in their investigation."

Some more photos of the shooting:

Photo: AP

Photo: AP

Photo: AP

Photo: AP

Photo: AP

Photo: AP

According to Vietnamnet.vn