On Sunday evening in Las Vegas, tragedy struck. Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old man from Nevada, committed unthinkable acts of murder and violence when he killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 500 others in a terror attack. The onslaught began after 10pm local time, during the Route 91 Harvest country music festival where over 22,000 people were in attendance. Chaos ensued as Paddock, armed with at least 17 guns, shot into the crowd from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel across the road. Images from the night show concertgoers fleeing the site, taking cover, and attempting to protect the wounded. It was, by anybody's definition, a scene of pure terror. Amongst all the fear and panic, however, one man stood out. While everyone around him laid on the ground, an as of yet unidentified man remained standing, and - in true American spirit - flipped the bird at the terrorist, all the while chugging from a a 25-ounce Bud Light tallboy. Though other people repeatedly told him to stay down, he defiantly stayed on his feet. You can see him stand up about a minute into this video. Be warned, though, it does contain some distressing images: According to eyewitness accounts, a woman was shot just 30 feet away from the beer-swigging rebel - but that didn't deter him. Here's another clip of him from a different angle: [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/KyungLahCNN/status/914792983374979072]] Since the shooting, more information about Stephen Paddock has come to light. It transpires that the terror attacker was a multi-millionaire property investor who, as far as anyone could tell, didn't seem to be having money problems at all - though he was known to be a gambler. He was twice-divorced, held a hunting license, owned two planes, and didn't have a criminal record. By all accounts, he seemed a fairly average man. Speaking to reporters, Paddock's brother Eric insisted that Stephen was "just a guy who played video poker and took cruises and ate burritos at Taco Bell", and that "there's absolutely no sense, no reason he did this." After the so-called Islamic state tried to claim accountability for the attack, Eric was adamant that Stephen had, "No affiliation, no religion, no politics", and that something must have simply 'snapped'. However, another account from a neighbour of Paddock's described the man as 'weird'. She went on to say that he, "Kept to himself. It was like living next to nothing. You can at least be grumpy, something. He was just nothing, quiet." It's also been mentioned by various sources - including Paddock's brother - that Marilou Danley, who was originally wanted in connection with the attack, was Stephen's girlfriend. She has not yet offered a comment. As part of a public address, President Trump had this to say on the matter: 'The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are working closely with local authorities to assist with the investigation and they will provide updates as to the investigation and how it develops. I want to thank the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and all of the first responders for all of their courageous efforts and for helping to save the lives of so many.' The events that played out on Sunday evening were undeniably horrific for all those involved, and, as the deadliest mass shooting in American history, the world is unlikely to forget about it any time soon. However, I hope we also remember the one guy who was brave (or perhaps stupid) enough to stand up for what he believed in: defiance in the face of terror, freedom to do as he pleases, and, of course, the importance of an ice cold beer.

The Las Vegas shooting, perpetrated by domestic terrorist Stephen Paddock, is the deadliest firearms killing spree ever perpetrated by an individual in the United States. After all the memorials and funerals, the speeches from politicians and pundits, we are still no closer to establishing why Paddock was compelled to murder 58 people and injure 489 from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel. His suicide means we'll probably never know why and getting caught up in the intrigue only seems to inspire others to emulate them. But this hasn't stopped the tabloid press from frantically raking through the minutiae of the incident, combing through Paddock's life to find some trace of a rationale for his crimes. The rolling 24-hour coverage resulted in some pretty spurious news stories, as reporters all struggled to find the next big scoop. So we've decided to take a look at some of the more questionable newspaper headlines that were published in the wake of the tragedy, which prove that anything related to a national disaster, no matter how trivial, can make the front page.

1. Las Vegas Shooter Stephen Paddock's Last Meal Throws Up More Questions Than Answers

Other than putting you in mind of Stephen Paddock vomiting up his last meal, this headline is a fantastic example of empty speculation. There is pretty much no useful information we can glean about the killer based on what he ate before pulling the trigger. So Paddock ate a burger and drank a lot of soda: what deep insight does this give us into his psyche? None whatsoever.

2. Las Vegas Shooter Stephen Paddock Had An Unusual Financial Life: Here's What We Know

Stephen Paddock was atypical as a spree shooter only in that he was elderly and wealthy, and made millions from gambling and real estate ventures. However, spree shooters can come from a wide variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds. The only difference is that Paddock's considerable assets allowed him to purchase more firearms and more ammunition than most. Paddock acquired his money legally and legitimately, and police have already investigated his monetary background. To claim that he had an "unusual financial life" is simply sensationalism.

3. Killer's Cruise: Vegas Killer Stephen Paddock Went On A Cruise To The Middle East Within The Last Year

Many, many people travel to the Middle East for business or for a vacation. Far from a hotbed of terrorism, the overwhelming majority of those living in the Middle East are peaceful people. The same can be said of the people who visit. I have been on holiday to Mexico, but this doesn't mean that I've joined a cartel and started smuggling cocaine just because I spent two weeks in Cancun.

4. Casino Owner On Stephen Paddock: 'The Most Vanilla Profile One Could Possibly Imagine'

A number of people who knew Paddock have since come forward to state that, amazingly, Paddock didn't advertise his murderous intentions to all and sundry. It's hardly surprising that Paddock was outwardly an ordinary, boring man who wasn't overtly suspicious. Most spree shooters are, and it's not in their best interests to make themselves conspicuous to authorities before carrying out a massacre.

5. A Mother's Words: Las Vegas Shooter Stephen Paddock’s Mum Told Neighbour The Killer Was A 'Bad Boy'

How many men reading this headline were called "a bad boy" by their mother as a child? It's hardly a worrying phenomenon. Paddock was 65 when he carried out the shooting. Are we to take from this that his mother knew what her son was capable of six decades before the fact? Somehow I doubt it. If we treat every person who was ever scolded as a child like a criminal then we'll very quickly run out of prison space.

6. A Mysterious Piece Of Paper Was Found In The Las Vegas Shooter's Hotel Room

A piece of paper was allegedly found at the crime scene, in the hotel room that Paddock had been shooting from. The paper was not a suicide note, and in fact, from what we can discern, it was completely blank. Big deal. Most hotel rooms provide guests with a complementary notepad or sheet of paper. The fact that the innocuous piece of paper was blank probably means that it's negligible evidence, to be discounted rather than treated as proof of a conspiracy or hidden agenda.

7. Las Vegas Shooter Was The 'King Of Microaggression'

This headline seems to suggest that prior microaggressions (already a contested term among psychiatrists) might have provided a hint that Paddock was planning a spree shooting. For those not familiar with the term, a microaggression usually refers to a verbal or nonverbal insult or dismissal by one person to another or a group. However, there's not much sense in wringing hands over microagressions when a macroagression (read: the shooting spree itself) has already left people dead. Apparently we're all guilty of microagressions from time to time, so if you think a colleague has insulted you or a friend snubbed you, it's pretty unlikely that they're going to be the next Stephen Paddock, and more likely they were in a grumpy mood.

8. Stephen Paddock Called In Two Noise Complaints About Loud Country Music From The Hotel Room Below

Apparently Paddock called the hotel desk to make a complaint about noise at approximately 1.30am the night before his spree shooting, but this information just seems to be totally irrelevant. What does this story tell us? That people who complain about noise late at night are homicidal? Or that country music provoked Paddock into slaughtering dozens of strangers? I very much doubt either.

9. Las Vegas Horror: Stephen Paddock Ended Massacre With His Tiniest Weapon

This headline seems to be surprised that Stephen Paddock used a comparatively small handgun in order to commit suicide before the SWAT team could arrest him. However, considering the range he was firing from, it would have been illogical to have fired a pistol at festival-goers from his hotel room. It makes complete sense for him to turn his smallest firearm on himself.

10. Stephen Paddock Doesn't Fit Mass Shooter's Profile

Criminal profiles are useful tools of investigation, used by qualified forensic psychologists to identify and apprehend potential suspects. Although many spree killers sometimes share things in common with one another, or follow an established pattern of neurosis, behaviour and criminology, it's dangerous to stereotype them as being homogenous. As previously stated, spree shooters can come from a wide variety of backgrounds. They can have an existing criminal record or have lived a blameless life. Profiling is useful when identifying patterns and as a predictive instrument; but they are never infallible. Unfortunately, it's an established fact that tragedies on this scale often lead to biased reporting and politicisation. In all the furore involved in delving into the biography of the culprit, it's easy to forget about the most important thing of all: the victims. If you'd like to help out those who have been affected, then please consider donating to the relief fund.

In an act of senseless terrorism, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel on Sunday evening, killing at least 59 and wounding over 500 attendees of an open-air music festival in Las Vegas. The shooting, which is now considered to be the deadliest in recent US history, took place during the Route 91 Harvest Festival. For nine minutes, bullets rained down on revellers while country singer Jason Aldean was performing. But despite the chaos and confusion, there are inspiring stories of selfless humanity to be told: in the midst of terror, several concert-goers put their lives in jeopardy to save perfect strangers So in honour of all those affected, here are some of the most heroic tales to come out of the tragedy - it truly goes to show that in the troubled time we live in, there are still vestiges of good.

 1. Jonathan Smith saved 30 people before being shot in the neck, and survived...

Jonathan Smith was attending the festival to celebrate his brother's 43rd birthday. After being separated from his family members in the commotion, Smith did his best to bring terrified people to safety. Allegedly, he repeatedly shouted "active shooter, active shooter, let's go! We have to run." After standing up to urge a group of young women to get on the ground, he was struck on the neck by a bullet. Thankfully, Smith and the rest of his family survived, however, it's likely that he will have to live with the bullet for the rest of his life as doctors fear that further injury could be caused if they attempt to remove it.

Speaking to the Washington Post, Smith said: "I would want someone to do the same for me. No one deserves to lose a life coming to a country festival."

2. Jack Beaton was shot and killed whilst shielding his wife, Laurie. 

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/BeatonJakeOff/status/914745554453676032]]

This Twitter post was shared by Jake Beaton. His father, Jack was attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival with his wife, Laurie when bullets started rain down from the Mandalay Bay Hotel. Jake told Bakersfield now that his father "put Laurie on the ground and covered her with his body" when he was hit by the bullets, saving Laurie's life while tragically losing his own.

3. A Reddit user shared a photo of the man who took a bullet to save his sister 

Reddit user tynation posted this photo to praise the unnamed man for his heroism. His sister has yet to come forward with further details.

4. Sonny Melton was killed after covering his wife, Heather 

Sonny Melton was celebrating his first anniversary with his wife, Heather, when the attack occurred. Sonny started running with Heather, attempting to protect her from the bullets before he was fatally shot. “He saved my life... I felt him get shot in the back," Heather said. In a Facebook post, she wrote, "Sonny was the most kind-hearted, loving man I have ever met. He saved my life and lost his."

5. Taylor Winston and Jenn Lewis transported around two dozen priority victims to hospital

Former marine Taylor Winston and his friend Jenn Lewis fled the scene unharmed before coming across a truck with keys inside. They started seeking out the injured and proceeded to transport them to the nearest hospital. "People needed to get out of there, and we tried the best we could to get as many as we could," Winston told the Daily Beast.

6. Firefighter, Steve Keys was hit by a bullet whilst performing CPR on an injured woman

Keys was one of the first responders at the scene. When performing CPR on a woman, he was grazed in the chest and stomach by a bullet. Keys continued to stay on the scene despite his injuries.

On Facebook he wrote, "prayers needed. Lot of people hit. A lot killed [...] I'm ok. But a lot of people aren't. I am lucky."

 

7. Mike McGarry threw himself on top of his children to protect them

Financial advisor Mike McGarry shielded his children with his body when shots began to ring out. "They're 20. I'm 53, I lived a good life," he said.

As ever, our thoughts lie with the victims and those affected by the Las Vegas shooting.

One culprit has been named so far in the mass shooting which has left at least 50 people dead, and approximately 400 more wounded. Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old man from Nevada, is understood to be the individual behind the terror attack. Marilou Danley, a 62-year-old Australian woman, was a person of interest in the incident, but has since been ruled out as a suspect by police. There is some speculation that Paddock may have used her ID at some point. Details about the shooting are still unfolding, but here's what we know so far: Firstly, it is believed that Paddock was a lone shooter in the attack. It is understood that he was spotted with Danley before the incident, and she has since been apprehended in connection with the ordeal, but Paddock was the only person who fired at concertgoers. He has since died - but it's uncertain whether he was shot by police, or if he killed himself. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/babahererra/status/914765380798820353]] SWAT officers tracked the killer down to the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, where he was found with at least 10 weapons. Explosives were used to enter the room - which Paddock is believed to have checked into as a guest - and found that the Nevada man had set up multiple shooting points, as well as several cameras to alert him when police were on their way. Paddock's motives for the mass-killing are not known. Speaking to press, Sheriff Joe Lombardo said: 'We believe it was a local individual. He resides here locally. I’m not at liberty to give you his place of residence yet, because it’s an ongoing investigation, we don’t know what his belief system was at this time. … Right now we believe he is the sole aggressor at this point and the scene is static.' It is also understood at this time that Paddock had a minor previous encounter with law enforcement - but public records do not show any convictions for him in Nevada. Undersheriff Kevin McMahill spoke to CNN, and disclosed that Paddock had no major 'derogatory' criminal record, but just one minor offense in Las Vegas. He was also not on record as a military veteran, and has no known connections to the armed forces. Although Lombardo stated that Paddock's background was still under investigation, it has emerged that the 64-year-old may have been going through a divorce. A family member told NBC that they would be releasing more information in an official statement later today. Speaking to Fox News, two young women who were at the concert gave an account of what they saw. The first woman said: 'We were at the Jason Aldean concert and everything was fine. And then we heard two pop noises and thought it was the sound system. He kept continuing like nothing was wrong and then we heard it continue and he was still going and then he fell.' The other added: '(Aldean) dropped and ran, he just ran off the stage. And then people started dropping to the floor and we were running out.' The women also reported seeing someone who had been shot in the head: [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/LaurenBlanch12/status/914750380449218561]] More minor details about the suspect have been made public on news channels, namely that Paddock was licensed pilot, and owned two planes. He also had a hunting license in Alaska. More details can be seen in the report below: [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Morning_Joe/status/914830912344469504]] The attack is now known to be the worst mass-shooting ever recorded in the USA, and raises further questions about gun restrictions in the country. Our thoughts go out to those affected by the shooting, and we hope to have more information very soon. UPDATE: Some details have been changed according to new reports.

On October 1st, Stephen Paddock committed the deadliest mass shooting in US history, killing 58 people injuring a further 546. When his identity was first revealed, police struggled to find a motive. As far as everybody could tell, Paddock had no previous criminal convictions, no military history, and no reason to commit a terror attack. Even those who knew him believed that his actions were completely out of character, and his girlfriend, Marilou Danley, released a statement claiming she had no idea what Paddock had been planning. "I knew Stephen Paddock as a kind, caring, quiet man. I loved him and hoped for a quiet future together with him," she said. "He never said anything to me or took any action that I was aware of that I understood in any way to be a warning that something horrible like this was going to happen. However, details that have been released about Paddock's search history imply that he had been planning the horrific attack for some time. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, an anonymous investigator involved in the case revealed that Paddock's browser history included searches for techniques used by the Las Vegas police and SWAT teams to break into a shooter's room. Paddock clearly used this information, as reports released shortly after the attack took place stated that the shooter had taken careful measures to prevent any entry to the hotel room he was occupying at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, and was monitoring police activity so that he would know when he was about to be apprehended. Sergeant Joseph Bitsko, who was present at the scene, stated that "[Paddock] had screwed shut the door with a piece of metal and some screws." Before the room was breached, police had been warned that the scene might be booby trapped, as wires from a room service cart were noticed to be leading underneath Paddock's door. "Initially, I was thinking, 'This is a booby trap, it’s going to explode,'" said Bitsko. "It turned out to be cameras. It was like a deadly game of hide-and-seek." Davide Newton, another officer who was called out to the attack, stated: "[Paddock] knew we were coming and we were going to have to come through. We didn’t know where he was going to be in that room ... His plan might have been to shoot it out with us because there was a rifle on a bipod near the door, and just the amount of ammunition and weapons he had, he could have held us off for hours." The hard drive to Paddock's computer has not yet been found, but it is believed that the gunman removed it from his laptop after he committed the attack. Without this, police are still left with very few clues about what exactly Paddock was up to in the days and weeks leading up to the horrific event, and his motive is still very much up for speculation. This is despite rigorous investigations into Paddock's finances, political beliefs, social behaviour, and political views. "We still have a lot of resources devoted to the investigation," said Laura Meltzer of the LAPD. "We still have people working overtime and around the clock on it." The search for a motive continues.