Vegas casinos. Places tens of thousands of Dollars Worth of bets in recent weeks. But why he did this, they simply have no clue. They know he has been acquiring weapons over the past several months. He has bought at gun stores in nevada, possibly outside the state as well. That part of nevada he is from, mesquite, is right on the border. So he could go to other states to try to buy weapons and have them sent back to the gun dealers in nevada 20 do it legally. But The Big Question here is how did he acquire automatic weapons. Youve heard the sounds on the videos of these rapid shots. Machine guns are illegal in the u. S. But its possible to buy conventional semiautomatic weapons, meaning they fire every time you pull the trigger, but just one round and convert them. But that Conversion Process can make the weapons illegal. So the authorities are trying to figure out how he managed to get
his hands on these automatic weapons. He had some of those in the room. He had Sniper Rifles with scopes. So he clearly intended to have a great deal of firepower. They say when he checked into the hotel last thursday, he had all this arsenal with him in ten suitcases. So ten pieces of baggage. So nobody would have seen obviously that he was carrying in weapons to the hotel, chris. And they say that while he was there thursday, friday, saturday, sunday, and then into today, he didnt he didnt have them out in plain view that the Hotel Housekeeping staff had been in and out of his room and never noticed anything out of line. Well, thats horrific. What about his father being in the ten most wanted list . What do you make of that . I dont believe in sort of inherited psychopathy. But what do you make of it . Well, its certainly something that they want to look
at. His father, Benjamin Hoskins paddock was arrested for robbing banks in phoenix in 1960, and then in 1968, while he was serving a 20year sentence for the conviction on that, he scaped. Thats what youre looking at now is his Wanted Poster from the fbi back in 68. Then they described him on that poster, chris, down there at the bottom wrun it says caution as somebody who is diagnosed as psychopathic and has suicidal tendencies. And whether it means anything or not, after he escaped rather, after he robbed the bank in phoenix, he was arrested in las vegas. Wow. So the paddocks have some connection to las vegas. Theyve been in and out of that area. They lived in arizona and nevada. So this is a part of the country that he is comfortable with. But what the fathers background has anything to do with his current frame of mind, we just have no way of knowing. Because, chris, none of the usual indicators here, none of the electronic breadcrumbs seem to be in place. No social media. No note left behind. No at this Point ObviousInternet Conversations that we know of. None of these little indicators we tend to have found by this many hours after these past shootings. Wow. Great reporting, pete. Were going find out more as the days go on im sure. Im joined right now by mick akers, a report were the las vegas sun. That must be something of a lead that the father was on the most wanted list and was listed in the most Wanted Poster as psychopathic. Definitely. Although he has no background, really. It just adds a Little Something there. What do you know right now about this witnesses . What witnesses do we have on the 32nd floor where he was shooting from . Yeah, i spoke with one gentleman from atlanta. He said he was about five rooms
away. He was asleep. Between 10 00 and 10 15, he was awoken by hundreds of rounds of shots. He could smell the gunpowder. He immediately called the front desk. They said theyre aware of an active shooter situation and to remain in his room. He said he hit the ground and waited it out. Eventually metro police came up and escorteded him out of his room and down the 32 floors. Lets get down the floors to the concert area. What do you know you can tell us about the casualty in this random 1200 feet away of a Machine Gunning of the crowd where he is just aiming the gun into the crowd and its like a horrible lottery for those people. Yeah. It just seemed like he was kind of playing a game. He would wait for them to get up and then start shooting. And once they would hit the ground, he would stop and then they would get up and he would start shooting again. A sister was 30yearold and he was 20. Every time they would jump, she would jump on him. He had a longer life to live and more aspirations. She would gladly take the bullet for him. The shooter had some tripods. He also had a scope. Youre telling me that he was a sniper. He could actually shoot personal targets from that distance . Im not sure if he was able to do that. I know he was shooting at will. So im sure the 22,000 people there in attendance, it wasnt that hard for him to hit people even from that distance. Thank you so much, mick akers for joining us. Im joined now by brian hopkins. Sea musician who was at l. A. Nights concert. Thank you. Shortly after the shooting started hopkins and others ran for cover, eventually hiding in a large freeze attorney concert grounds. Brian, tell us about your experience last night. It was it was kind of crazy. Because when it happened, i wasnt sure what was going on. And we were right in front near the front of the stage. And i heard bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. And people started rung. I grabbed a couple of girls right in front of me and my best friend, took off and got trampled. He got up and start eed running. And i took these people around the back side. I was backstage so i knew how to get there. And i ran down a wall, down the wall. And you could just hear bang bang bang bang bang happening. And you could hear it banging off the rooftop behind me and hitting around us. So i i dont know how i remember there was an opening where the entrance was to the right. And we ran into a fence. And i knew i could get over, but i couldnt get all the people that were screaming over. So i see this cooler. And when i opened it up, one of my friends was inside. And we just started throwing
people inside. It was about five feet off the ground. It was an actual freezer. And we locked ourselves in there. And we could hear we could hear the firing. And it was so cold inside. And the two young ladies that i was helping, they were amazing because they were calming down the one person and the guy who was throwing his fingers in front of the camera was banging on the walls. And we were trying to calm him down. And then i got up to open up the door. And there was more firing. So we shut the door. And i looked at my friend across the way. And i said everything is going to be okay. And he shook his head, like its not. So we waited a couple of minutes. And i thought to myself, were not going to die in here. And so i opened up he got up with me. We opened up the door. And someone had put a ramp up along the fence. And one guy jumped out. Another guy jumps. And i asked the guy, the second guy to wait. And i jumped down and i started helping the ladies get up over the fence until everyone was just trying to get over. And we were helping until the last two. And they were the two that i helped they stayed with me. And i couldnt get them over. So i turned to ron. And a Police Officer runs at me and screams this way, this way. And i remember he is sweating and was just shaken up. But as soon as i get past him, he starts running to where all the noise is going for, all the bad is happening. He runs to it. And ill never forget it. Because then we were running down, and there was a body and body and another body. And the girls start to panic. And one of them started crying and wanted to call her dad. And i said keep running. And then we see a gentleman with a hole in his belly. And his friends trying to bring him to life. And i started shaking, but it was keep moving, keep moving. And we run across the street. And there are people barricaded behind a bar. And the guy in the Passenger Seat was shot. And soy just told everybody run to the dark. Just run. And people were following me. And we ran as far as we could run. But it still wasnt out of reach. It was like 50 yards. And two gentlemen on another side pull a gate so we can get me through and i could pull the gate open so everyone could get through this gate with us. And start running to hooters. It was terrifying and i dont i remember being calm during the whole thing. And as soon as i got home, i broke down. Because i dont i should have part of me like oh, that fence, i can over that fence and i can get out of here. Now and i ended up jumping in a cooler with everybody to try to keep them calm. But i didnt know if there were
shooters running around shooting and trying to get people quiet. I had no idea. And i lost my best friend. And i didnt know where he was. So i just stayed with these people. Sir, i dont know you, but you have a good heart and you have great instincts for saving people. Thank you so much, Bryan Hopkins for that incredible narration of the horror last night. Thank you. Joining us right now the nevada congresswoman adena titus. Ive been watching. I hear automatic weaponry. I heard a machine gun. And i heard it relentless. Its a lot of clips, a lot of bananas. Just kept firing and firing and firing. This guy goes into a hotel room with over a dozen weapons. What does it tell you about the state of las vegas and the law in las vegas . What should it be . What have we got here . Well, i have to commend Law Enforcement here in las vegas, along with First Responders and with the private security at mandalay bay. I dont know how you could have prevented this. They are looking at now las vegas being more of a hard
target than a soft target to see how we can improve security. But if you look at what all they did, they saved lives. As you heard mr. Hopkins saying, running into the area that was full of people who were being harmed. Well, what do you make of the elements at work here . I dont want to make this into a night of crusade on a Night Of Horror where we should just sort of grieve and accept reality for a while. This guy zbees a hotel with weapons and tripods and scopes, everything with a clear intention to use them. He wasnt going to carry them home with him. Is there anything we can do about stopping the act, this kind of act . Well, youve got to remember, these were all in suitcases. He was staying for several days. He was in a sweet. The Housekeeping Staff had been in and out and not seen anything out of the way because nothing was visible. What do you do to check peoples suitcases when you come in . Thats something to look at. But i can tell you, we dont
want to make it political on this day of mourning, as you said. Our office is trying to be of service and of solace. But have i stood for one too many times for a Moment Of Silence on the floor of the house. I just wonder by picking up at least suitcases with guns in them, i would notice they were extra heavy. Anyway, thank you. I like your patience with us tonight and your judgment. Well get to this debate later. U. S. Congresswoman dina titus of las vegas. Still ahead, new details about the gunman himself, who he was, and what we know about his motive. Boy, thats the question of the night, motive for last nights horror. Those people were all alive this time yesterday. In fact, this time they were all alive and never expected this horror. They were going out to a concert. And that guy ended their lives. This one guy did it. Weve got to find out why. Our coverage continues after this. Has grown into an enterprise. Thats why i switched to the spark cash card from capital one. Now, im earning unlimited 2 cash back on every purchase i make. Everything. Whats in your wallet . Were learning more about the suspect in last nights mass shooting. 64yearold Stephen Craig paddock had been gambling significant amounts of money at las vegass casinos over the past few weeks. Today our nbc station in orlando caught up with the suspects brother. Here is what he said. Our condolences to everyone. We just dont understand. Its like i said, an asteroid just fell out of the sky, and we have no reason, rhyme, rationale, excuse. There is just nothing. I mean, he has no criminal record. He has nothing, nothing, nothing. Nbc news correspondent katie bank joins us from mesquite, nevada near the suspects home. Katie, thank you. What can we find out from his house . Well, chris, we are actually in his community, which is a sleepy Retirement Community in
the desert. Its about 80 miles from las vegas. This is an upscale neighborhood where people largely come to relax. Thats where his brother thought he was come to do when Stephen Paddock moved in here in 2015. What we have witnessed today is basically police executing a Search Warrant on his home, looking for any type of evidence, any time of clue that could solve the mystery behind the motive. Why did he do it . What was the motivation . And what lies in that house that could potentially solve that for them. They have been in there throughout the day, trying to find anything that would give them those answers. Late this afternoon, they finally wrapped up. And when they did come out, we learn theyd had left with 18 firearms, several thousand rounds of ammunition and explosive devices, among other things. They werent giving us exact details on the other items that were taken out. We imagine they did some forensics on his computers, any type of communication that was on devices in that home. But we are told they have completed the execution of thatSearch Warrant. And now theyre going sift through that evidence and see if there is a motive in there somewhere. Chris . You mean 18 weapons in addition to that almost that amount in the hotel room . Is that right . Correct. And we have also learned independently that is correct. We also learned independently that paddock bought several firearms from a gun store just two miles down the road from us here. The store owner told us the Background Checks were completed when he purchased those firearms, and he didnt see anything in paddock that would strike him as unfit to own a gun. Well, they are ar15s. Thank you, cattie beck in mesqui mesquite, nevada. A gunman callously opened fire on thousands of people at a Country Music festival. In the aftermath, The Big Question is why did this guy do it. Do you have any kind of motives were looking at . No, maam. I cant get into the mind of a psychopath at this point. This is a classic wmd. This is a weapon in a man of mass destruction. This is a crazed lunatic full of hate. We dont know much about his background. Well, statistics were told Show The Vegas Gunman is 64 years old, was twice the age of the average mass shooter, whatever good that tells us. In interviews with his brother eric said that his brother was not a normal guy and frequently played high stakes video poker. Were getting kind of a disconnect there. Not a normal guy and never been in any trouble. Well see how that fixes together. Im joined by clint van zandt, former fbi agent and msnbc contributor. Clint and candice, what do you make of the combined accounts from the brother . One, sea lawabiding guy and never broke any rules, but he is not quite normal. What . How does that sound to you . Well, to me, this guy is really an anomaly. So far we dont have any of the
indicators that we see in the past. We dont see money. We dont see health issues. We dont know about girlfriends. We know he is older than the average age. We know he lived in a retirement where he should have been Drinking Beer and watching baseball instead of accumulating 35 weapons. And ammonium nitrate, all you have to do is mix fuel oil and you have oklahoma city. Whether this is two personalities, the one he showed his family and the rest of the world and one he kept hidden, thats still something we have to learn. Candice, what do you make of the father . The father being on the most wanted list and described in the Wanted Posters as psychotic . Well, he was described as psychopathic, which is different. Basically, its a Personality Disorder where someone just lax empathy. They never feel guilt or remorse for anything they do, which makes it easy for them to commit crimes and become a criminal. Its my understanding the father tried to run down a cop, which
is why he was on the ten most wanted list. I see. It does make me wonder. That happened in 1968. And offender, the shooter in las vegas was i think born in 195455, what his home life was like. He is being raised by a criminal. We dont know all that much yet. In regards to the brothers contrary statements, chris, its rare for families to come forward after Something Like this and say i knew Something Like this was going to happen. Even if they did. Boy, thats intelligent. Let me get back to clint on that. What do you think . It sounds right to me. You dont want to incriminate yourself by saying i knew the guy was heading for trouble. Well, you know, Ted Kaczynskis brother raised his hand and said i think there is a problem with my brother. When i was an fbi agent, i sought his father. His father was top ten most wanted fugitive. And we were looking for guy in the 70s. When i heard that name, there was a distant bell. But again, i dont know that you made the comment earlier. I dont know if there is a connection there. We dont know how much influence the father had over him there is a lot of things, chris there is so much we dont know and so much we need to know. We got three things. We got a deal with the psychology of shooters, how to understand their motivation and get in front of them instead of behind them. We have to limit their access to guns. And we have to develop technology thats going help Law Enforcement react faster. It took an hour and