Havoc struck Las Vegas when shots were fired late Sunday night during country singer Jason Aldean’s performance at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.
Nevada resident Stephen Paddock, 64, shot through his window on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino as concertgoers watched Aldean perform, leaving 59 dead and 527 injured, according to the Associated Press.
Online video of the attack showed Aldean’s performance being interrupted by the sound of gunfire. The music then stopped, and the sound of concertgoers screaming replaced the silence.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history.
Officials found Paddock dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his hotel room along with around 20 rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Paddock was described to be a “normal fellow” by Christopher Sullivan, general manager of Guns & Guitars, from whom Paddock purchased a handgun and two rifles within the last year, according to The New York Times.
Paddock’s brother said he didn’t know of any mental illness, alcohol or drug problems his brother had, according to The Washington Post.
University of Memphis President M. David Rudd addressed the tragedy in an email sent to students and faculty.
“We are currently unaware of any students, faculty, staff or alumni being directly affected by the mass shooting in Las Vegas,” Rudd said. “We are all indirectly impacted by such violence.”
Rudd also said with this horrific violence in the country, administration would look into ways to help those affected.
“As we pause to grieve those lost and wounded, and the countless families affected, we will explore ways that we might be able to reach out and help,” Rudd said. “Kindness always makes a difference.”
In an additional email sent to students and faculty Oct. 2, Rudd said all flags would be lowered to half-staff by order of Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and in accordance to a presidential proclamation.
“Flags are being lowered in memory of those who lost their lives as a result of the tragedy that occurred last night in Las Vegas, Nevada,” Rudd said in the email.
Among those killed in the attacks was West Tennessee resident Sonny Melton, according to Fox 13 News.
Melton, a Big Sandy, Tennessee native, was a registered nurse at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and was attending the country music festival with his wife, Heather Gulish Melton, who survived the shooting.
In a Facebook post, Gulish Melton said she “lost my true love and knight in shining armor. I appreciate the prayers, but I just need some time.”
In light of the shooting, there are ways for people in Memphis to help.
Donations to a GoFundMe page created by Steve Sisolak, Las Vegas county commission chairman, are being accepted. The fundraising goal is to reach $1 million. To donate, search Sisolak’s name on the GoFundMe website.
The Southern Nevada chapter of the Red Cross is also accepting donations on its website, by phone at 702-369-3674 or by mail at 1771 East Flamingo Road, #206B, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119.
In addition to monetary donations, Las Vegas officials have also asked for blood donations from anyone in the area who can make it to the donation site. If not in the Las Vegas area, donations through the United Blood Services are also being accepted, or anyone can simply donate at a local Red Cross blood drive.
