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Death toll rises after mass shooting at Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas

The death toll is rising after a mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas.

Jason Aldean was performing during the final set at Route 91 Harvest Festival on the Vegas strip Sunday night (October 1) when gunfire broke out, reportedly from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. As of press time, reports indicate that more than 50 people are dead, with more than 200 wounded.

CNN reports that Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo confirmed that the gunman has been identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock. He was killed at the scene.

Police first responded to reports of shots being fired from Mandalay Bay around 10:08 p.m. local time. Witnesses at the scene tell CNN the gunshots “lasted for 10 to 15 minutes. It didn’t stop.”

Mandalay Bay owner MGM Resorts tweeted the following: “This evening there was a tragic active shooter situation at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. Law enforcement and emergency personnel responded quickly to the incident a secured the scene. Law enforcement requested that we put hotels in the vicinity on lockdown to ensure guest safety. We will provide more information as it becomes available.”

Featured Mandalay Bay image via Paul Haydock-Wilson, Wiki Commons.