ADVERTISEMENTThe US is slowly coming to terms with the deadliest mass shooting in its modern history.
At least 58 people are now confirmed dead and another 515 wounded after gunman Stephen Paddock sprayed hundreds of rounds ammunition at more than 20,000 concertgoers in Las Vegas.
The 64-year-old was holed up on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino hotel. He was later found dead after police stormed his room. 10 guns were recovered from scene.
Crowds were enjoying a gig by country music star Jason Aldean when the terror unfolded.
Footage filmed from the venue showed the confusion and panic among revellers as the reality of what was happening finally became clear. Many had initially thought the bullets raining down were fireworks rather than sustained automatic gunfire.
The suspect is said to have used a hammer or something similar to break his hotel room windows, clearing the line of fire from the casino complex which sits across the famous Las Vegas strip from the festival site.
Local officials in Nevada, who described the scene as a “war zone”, urged residents to make blood donations.
The motive for the massacre remains a mystery.
Despite claims by ISIL that the shooter was acting on the group’s behalf, having recently converted to Islam, for the moment, authorities are describing it as a “lone wolf” attack.