A mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival near the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard has resulted in at least 50 deaths and 200 injuries, according to a police press briefing delivered by Sheriff Joseph Lombardo early Monday morning. The shooting is now considered the deadliest in US history.
Among the dead is Las Vegas police officer Charleston Hartfield, 34, who was off-duty at the time.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Hartfield was identified by those who knew him. The outlet states that he was a military veteran, known to friends and family as “Charles” or “Chucky”. He also coached youth football.
Speaking to the outlet, friend Troy Rhett said, “He was probably busy helping others… I don’t know a better man than Charles.” Another friend, Stan King, told the Daily News that Hartfield was “the most true-blue American guy” he’s ever met.
According to the New York Daily News, Hartfield was a father and published author, as well. A relative named Tara Murray told the outlet, “He gave up his life for this country… Just to be taken out like this. You don’t understand. He’s got two little babies.”
Two on-duty officers were also injured, including one who was in stable condition after surgery and one who sustained minor injuries, Lombardo said. Police have warned that the death toll may rise.
Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, has been identified by NBC as the shooter. He was firing from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel and is no longer alive.
Eric Paddock, Stephen Paddock’s brother, spoke to the Orlando Sentinel on Monday, saying, “We are completely dumbfounded… We can’t understand what happened.”
