Las Vegas authorities are working two different scenes in attempt to discover the motive behind the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. And while there are many questions – including what set off the shooter – there are also some answers. For one, Las Vegas Assistant Sheriff Todd Fasulo says any rumors about multiple shooters can't be supported.
Fasulo also confirmed that there are no current threats to Vegas at this time. As for the gunman, we’re really no closer to the “why,” but we do know that officers found 23 guns at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, with another 19 at the home of the shooter.
In an earlier press conference yesterday, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said he couldn't get into the mind of a psychopath yet. And in spite of the fact that ISIS has attempted to claim responsibility for this horrific attack, the FBI said there's no connection between international terrorism and the shooter. Interestingly, ammonium nitrate was found inside the gunman’s car – for those who don’t know, that’s a chemical fertilizer that is very explosive. The shooting left at least 59 people dead and 527 injured.
- Last night, the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower In Paris dimmed their lights in honor of the lives lost during the massacre in Las Vegas. The Empire State Building also displayed a rotating orange halo effect to promote gun violence prevention. Orange was chosen as its color because it is the hue hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others from gunfire.
- The European Union's Parliament held a moment of silence to honor victims of recent attacks in Las Vegas, France, and Canada. The Parliament President asked representatives to rise and observe a minute of silence in memory of all innocent people. After the silence, the audience applauded -- a traditional way to honor the dead in Europe.
- The Pope is also praying for the people of Las Vegas. The Vatican has released a statement saying Pope Francis commends the efforts of police and emergency service personnel and offered his "spiritual closeness" to all those affected by the tragedy. “Deeply saddened to learn of the shooting in Las Vegas, Pope Francis sends the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all those affected by this senseless tragedy,” Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin writes on behalf of the Pope. “He commands the efforts of the police and emergency service personnel, and offers the promise of his prayers for the injured and for all who have died, entrusting them to the merciful love of Almighty God.”
- While many vigils are being held around Las Vegas, the city of Nashville, Country Music Association and Nashville Convention Visitors' Corp. hosted one of their own at Ascend Amphitheater last night. With a “hosting” by Mayor Megan Barry, and “Nashville” star Charles Esen as emcee, Charles Esten, those gathered heard performances from Vince Gill, Keith Urban, and Alison Krauss – with Gill’s wife, Amy Grant, leading the crowd in a prayer. Hear clips from the Nashville gathering on the right.