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Stephen PaddockAmerican mass murderer
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Steven Paddock: The Las Vegas Mass Shooter
- The Massacre
- Investigations and Motives
- Personal History and Relationships
- Religious and Political Affiliations
Steven Paddock: The Las Vegas Mass Shooter
Early Life and Family BackgroundOn October 1, 2017, 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock embarked on a horrific shooting rampage in Las Vegas, Nevada, killing at least 58 people and injuring over 515. Paddock, who resided just 90 minutes from Las Vegas in Mesquite, had no criminal record in Nevada and possessed a hunting and fishing license, a private pilot's certificate, and a substantial fortune. His father, Benjamin Hoskins Paddock, was a convicted bank robber who escaped from prison and remained on the FBI's Most Wanted list for eight years before being apprehended. Steven's father was reportedly diagnosed with psychopathy and "suicidal tendencies."
The Massacre
On the fateful evening of October 1, 2017, at approximately 10:00 PM, Paddock opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel onto the crowd attending the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on the Las Vegas Strip. Over 22,000 people were present at the event, and the shooting was described as "unrelenting" until Paddock paused to reload. As police breached his hotel room door, Paddock took his own life, making this the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.
Investigations and Motives
Authorities discovered over 10 rifles in Paddock's room, and his death was ruled as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He is believed to have acted alone, contradicting initial reports of multiple shooters. In the aftermath, numerous sources recounted Paddock's gambling addiction, suggesting excessive spending and visits to casinos as potential contributing factors to his motive. Law enforcement investigations revealed a series of financial transactions totaling tens of thousands of dollars in the weeks leading up to the attack.
Personal History and Relationships
Paddock lived in 27 different luxury residences in Nevada, Florida, and Texas throughout his adult life. Former neighbors described him as "normal" but acknowledged his gambling habit. His live-in girlfriend, Marilou Danley, was 62 years old and found in the Philippines. She is not considered a suspect in the killings. Paddock was previously married and divorced 27 years ago. His brother, Eric, expressed shock and disbelief, stating that Steven had no military training and possessed only legally purchased pistols.
Religious and Political Affiliations
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting that the shooter was a recent convert to Islam. However, Paddock's brother and other relatives deny any involvement with religious or political organizations. Paddock's niece's husband, Louis Wiedermann, expressed shock and sympathy for the victims, adding that the family had not had contact with him in over a year.
