On Sunday night, a shooter opened fire on an outdoor music festival in Las Vegas killing 58 and wounding 515 in the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.
The shooter, Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, reportedly launched his attack with an arsenal of weapons “in excess of 10 rifles” from a hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino nearby the 30,000-person Route 91 Harvest Festival, according to The New York Times. He then killed himself before authorities entered the room.
The gunshots rang out during a performance by country singer Jason Aldean, who later posted on Instagram.
“Tonight has been beyond horrific,” the singer wrote. “I still dont know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that Me and my Crew are safe. My Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night.”
As the shots rained down on the gathered crowd, Mike McGarry, a 53-year-old financial adviser from Philadelphia, used his body to shield younger concertgoers from the attack.
“It was crazy — I laid on top of the kids. They’re 20. I’m 53. I lived a good life,” he told The Australian.
Others helped victims by donating blood. By 3:48 a.m., according to the KTNV Channel 13 Action News in Las Vegas, the local blood donation center was full.
The firearm homicide rate in the United States is 20 times that of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average, Vox reports. Global Citizen campaigns on the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, the 16th of which is peace, justice, and strong institutions. You can take action here.
“[W]hile guns make murder easier, internal instability or weak governance, or especially a recent history of internal conflict, can also contribute to this sort of violence,” Vox wrote.
Leaders from around the United States and the globe reacted to the violence this morning, offering prayers, sympathy, and calls for peace.
Words fail this morning. The friendship & support of Canadians is with the victims in Las Vegas & the people of the US.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 2, 2017
Michelle & I are praying for the victims in Las Vegas. Our thoughts are with their families & everyone enduring another senseless tragedy.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 2, 2017
Las Vegas, we are grieving with you—the victims, those who lost loved ones, the responders, & all affected by this cold-blooded massacre.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 2, 2017
Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 2, 2017
My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2017
Heartbroken by the scene our nation is waking up to this morning. No person should endure the horror Las Vegas experienced last night.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) October 2, 2017
Terrible to wake up to the horrific news from Las Vegas. Our community stands with Las Vegas during this difficult time.
— Mayor Buddy Dyer (@orlandomayor) October 2, 2017
A deeply sad day for the city of Las Vegas. London sends our condolences to the victims and their families.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) October 2, 2017
A tragic & heinous act of violence has shaken the #Nevada family. Our prayers are w/ the victims & all affected by this act of cowardice.
— Governor Sandoval (@GovSandoval) October 2, 2017
I’m praying for all the victims, their families, and our first responders in the #LasVegas#MandalayBay shooting.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 2, 2017
Deeply saddened for the people of Las Vegas and the country. We will keep the victims & their families in our hearts.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 2, 2017
Pray for Las Vegas. Thank you to all our first responders out there now.
— Carolyn G. Goodman (@mayoroflasvegas) October 2, 2017
Horrified and heartbroken by the awful tragedy in #LasVegas last night. Praying for those lost, wounded & waiting for news from loved ones.
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) October 2, 2017
Artists who have performed at Global Citizen's own music and activism events, including Vic Mensa and Justine Skye, who performed at Global Citizen’s #ShowupVote event in Las Vegas last Fall, also tweeted out statements in the wake of the violence:
politicians: don't act like you care about mass shootings if you are anti-gun control
— vino bambino (@VicMensa) October 2, 2017
no one needs weapons like the one used in vegas. please don't tell me that's for deer hunting
— vino bambino (@VicMensa) October 2, 2017
"time to go stock up on automatic weapons to protect your family!" https://t.co/Jzpt3vAuYz
— vino bambino (@VicMensa) October 2, 2017
Wtf is going on in the world! :( makes me not want to leave my crib man
— Justine Skye (@JustineSkye) October 2, 2017
Praying for all the people in Vegas right now 💔 this is ridiculous
— Justine Skye (@JustineSkye) October 2, 2017
Saying a prayer for all the victims & their loved ones, also for the residents & visitors of Las Vegas! This was a horrific act of terror!!
— Rihanna (@rihanna) October 2, 2017
Other celebrities also spoke out:
Woke up to the heartbreaking news from Las Vegas, my thoughts are with everyone and their families. Love. H
— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) October 2, 2017
Woke up to the most devastating news about Las Vegas. I’m praying for everyone in Las Vegas!
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 2, 2017
Lord help us
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) October 2, 2017
Heartbroken this morning. Wishing last night was just a dream. I love you Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/1kJgKquI8H
— George Wallace (@MrGeorgeWallace) October 2, 2017
My heart is breaking for everyone in Vegas tonight. Simply devastating. So much loss.
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) October 2, 2017
Sending so many prayers to the victims that were affected by this tragedy in Las Vegas. My heart goes out to you all. #PrayingforVegas
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) October 2, 2017
On Monday, a crowdfunding campaign for the victims of the attack was started by Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chair from Las Vegas. As of this writing, the campaign has raised $40,000 in fewer than two hours.