Northern Irish country music fans caught up in Vegas terror
At least four people from Northern Ireland are among thousands of country music fans who had to flee for their lives during a shooting incident in Las Vegas.
Last updated 2nd Oct 2017
Over 50 people have been killed and more than 400 others have been injured during a shooting at an outdoor music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
Dozens of patrol vehicles descended on the Strip after authorities received reports of an active gunman near the Route 91 Harvest Festival.
Gunman Stephen Paddock targeted his victims from the 32nd floor of a hotel in Las Vegas.
Police used explosives to get into his room, but believe he shot himself before they entered.
They found at least eight guns in the room.
Four people from Northern Ireland were also caught up in the terror.
It's understood Omagh woman Kathy Ewing and her three friends were attending the concert when the gunfire began.
She tweeted Downtown Country to say it was a terrifying experience, but they were able to run and made it back to their hotel safely. Las Vegas police later said they did not believe there were any other gunmen.
Concert-goers reported seeing muzzle flashes from the upper floors of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino across Las Vegas Boulevard from the music festival and the sound of what they described as automatic gunfire.
Twenty-six people were admitted to the University Medical Centre, hospital spokeswoman Danita Cohen said. Of those, at least two died, 12 were in a critical condition and the rest were being assessed, she said.
On Twitter, Prime Minister Theresa May wrote: "The UK's thoughts are with the victims and the emergency services responding to the appalling attack in Las Vegas.''
The Foreign Office said it was in contact with authorities in Las Vegas and that it was "ready to help'' any British people affected.
A spokeswoman said: "Our sympathies are with all those affected by the horrific shooting in Las Vegas.
"Details about the incident are still emerging and we are in contact with Las Vegas emergency services. We are ready to help any British people affected.
"Any British people in Las Vegas should follow the advice of emergency services, and check the Foreign Office travel advice."
Kodiak Yazzie, 36, said he and his girlfriend were watching country star Jason Aldean's performance when he heard what sounded like fireworks. The music stopped temporarily and then started up again before another round of pops sent the performers ducking for cover and fleeing the stage.
Thousands fled as bursts of gunfire could be heard for more than five minutes, Mr Yazzie said.
Witnesses said they saw multiple victims and dozens of ambulances near the concert venue. Some attendees later huddled in the basement of the nearby Tropicana hotel-casino.
Officers carrying assault rifles ran into the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.
Authorities shut down part of the Las Vegas Strip and Interstate 15.
Flights were temporarily halted at McCarran International Airport because of the shooting, the airport said on its verified Twitter account.
Heavily-armed police are searching Paddock's retirement community home in Mesquite that he shared with roommate Marilou Danley.
Mesquite police chief Troy Tanner said police surrounded and entered the single-family home early on Monday morning local time.
Danley was not at the house, he said, and police saw "no movement'' inside before serving a search warrant at the home in the Sun City Mesquite retirement community, about 80 miles north of Las Vegas.
Detectives from Las Vegas and North Las Vegas were at the scene, near the Arizona state line.
US President Donald Trump has also tweeted his condolences to those caught up in the shooting.
Mr Trump has called the mass shooting in Las Vegas "an act of pure evil''.
In a televised address, he said the nation is joined together in sadness, shock and grief after the massacre.
The American leader said he will visit Las Vegas on Wednesday to meet first responders and families of the victims.
"We cannot fathom their pain," he said.
"We cannot imagine their loss.
"We are praying for you. We are here for you."