Las Vegas massacre: Death toll rises to 59, motive still unclear behind the deadliest shooting in US history

Fundraising page for victims raises £2m within 24 hours

The death toll in the Las Vegas massacre has risen to 59 and as many as 527 have been left injured after a Nevada resident, Stephen Paddock, opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest country music festival from his hotel overlooking the event in Las Vegas.

Through their propaganda agency yesterday, Isis had claimed responsibility for the deadliest mass shooting in the American history. However, a spokesperson for the FBI has said that no link has been found linking Isis to the ongoing investigation: “As this event unfolds we have determined to this point no connection with an international terrorist group.”

On Sunday night, 64-year-old Paddock went on a killing spree from the 32nd-floor window of the Mandalay Bay hotel. Using 34 high powered guns, he began shooting at a crowd of 22,000 who were attending the music festival, media reports suggest.

According to Las Vegas police, Paddock was a “lone wolf” who lived in a community of senior citizens in the small town of Mesquite, north-east of Las Vegas. He reportedly lived with a woman named Marilou Danley who does not appear to be involved. After the shootout, Paddock reportedly turned the gun on himself.

Police have found 23 guns in his hotel room, as well as “in excess of” 19 firearms and explosives at his Nevada home. But till now, no clear reason for the killing has emerged.

A fundraising page has been set up for the victims of the Las Vegas massacre and has raised more than £2m within 24 hours of it being set up. Donations are pouring in GoFundMe from all over the world to provide financial support to the victims and their families.

Britain has experienced a similar terror attack this year when a suicide bomber killed 22 people leaving an Ariana Grande concert. Prime minister tweeted her condolences yesterday: “The UK’s thoughts are with the victims and the emergency services responding to the appalling attack in Las Vegas.”

In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron also offered words of comfort when he tweeted: “Emotional thoughts for our American partners and friends who have had to suffer the violence of our times in Las Vegas a few hours ago.”

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Facebook that he was “shocked by the tragedy in Las Vegas.”