“IN moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one — and it always has. We call upon the bonds that unite us — our faith, our family, and our shared values. We call upon the bonds of citizenship, the ties of community, and the comfort of our common humanity. Our unity cannot be shattered by evil. Our bonds cannot be broken by violence. And though we feel such great anger at the senseless murder of our fellow citizens, it is our love that defines us today — and always will, forever.”
This was the statement made by Pres. Donald Trump on Tuesday, Oct. 2, in light of the deadly mass shooting incident in Las Vegas, Nevada which claimed the lives of at least 59 victims and injured more than 500 people.
It was a fun night on Sunday, Oct. 1, as a crowd of about 22,000 revealers gathered at an outdoor country music concert for the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Las Vegas Boulevard.
Across the street, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock was settled in his hotel room 32 floors up at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
As country music singer Jason Aldean was performing, a rain of gunshots began pouring toward the celebrating crowd.
“The gunshots lasted for 10 to 15 minutes. It didn’t stop,” a witness told CNN.
It was Paddock.
The lone wolf attacker was several feet southwest of the concert grounds and equipped with at least 23 weapons and two tripods when fired rifles—clip after clip—out of two different windows in his hotel room.
Paddock killed himself as authorities stormed his hideout.
Authorities believe that Paddock acted alone, but they have yet to determine his motives.
As more details begin to unravel in this gruesome incident, the world joins Americans as they pray for the victims and extend their condolences to the families they left behind.
The Philippines extends its “deepest condolences to the families of the more than 50 victims who died because of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. We likewise pray for the speedy recovery of the more than 500 people who were reported injured,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said during a Palace briefing. “We join the peace-loving people of the international community in denouncing this latest act of violence.”
In this time of distraught, let us express our compassion and pay our respects to the victims of this senseless violence that disrupted what should have been a joyous occasion. They will be remembered not for giving a reason of mourning, but for uniting the whole world amidst disorder, and making such occasion more meaningful, today and for years to come. (AJPress)
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