The Las Vegas Police issued a statement on Thursday in defense of their inconclusive findings. They also dismissed the importance and significance of the documents that were released this week as a response to an open records request by The Wall Street Journal.
The statement stated that “we were unable to establish a motive for this shooter.” “Speculating about a motive causes more damage to the hundreds who were victims that evening.”
The documents provide a fresh look into the mindset of the gunman through interviews with his neighbors, friends, and employees at the Las Vegas casinos that he frequented.
According to FBI interviews, Paddock was described as an “strange” introvert who didn’t want to make eye contact with anyone and wanted to only talk about gambling. A fellow gambler said that Paddock was upset that high-rollers were no longer getting the red carpet treatment.
The gambler claims that casinos have previously offered high-rollers like Paddock free cruises, flights and penthouse suites. However, casinos had been treating high rollers like Paddock to free cruises, flights and penthouse suites. The Oct. 1, 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting saw the gambler claim that casinos had started banning high-rollers “for playing well” and “winning large amounts of money.” According to documents, Paddock was banned from three Reno casino.
Kelly McMahill (an ex-Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer who led the criminal investigation into Paddock’s shooting) said that there were no strong signs that Paddock was motivated by resentment towards the casino industry.
McMahill stated that there was no way LVMPD could have concealed any motive from victims and survivors over five years.
The 10-minute massacre occurred on the last night of the three day Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, just across the street from Mandalay Bay resort. Paddock was on the 32nd Floor.
According to authorities, Paddock fired a barrage at the crowd of 22,000 people out of his corner suite that had a commanding view over the Strip and concert grounds.
He was a popular casino patron because of his gambling habits. Mandalay Bay employees offered him the $590-per night suite and allowed him to use a private elevator to transport his many suitcases. The guns he would use to commit the massacre were hidden in those suitcases.
One dozen Paddock’s weapons were modified using rapid-fire bump stocks, attachments which convert semi-automatic rifles to fully-automatic weapons. Some were equipped with scopes and bipod braces. His guns were legally purchased, according to authorities.
Paddock also looked into other large venues before he set up his Mandalay Bay home. He booked rooms overlooking Chicago’s Lollapalooza Festival in August 2017 as well as the Life is Beautiful festival in downtown Las Vegas.
McMahill, a former Las Vegas police officer, said that Paddock was searching for large numbers of people.
A spokesperson from the FBI in Las Vegas declined comment. The agency’s 2019 final report stated that Paddock sought fame in the attack and may have wanted to follow his father’s criminal footsteps. His wealth was decreasing, which also indicated that his mental and physical health were declining.
Paddock killed himself, acting alone as SWAT officers close in on him. There was no mention of his motives for the rampage.
McMahill stated, “If we ever find a motive, regardless of whether it’s ten years from now or 20 years from now,” It’s the right thing.
