Las Vegas shooting: Fundraiser for victims of massacre raises more than $2.2m within hours
Donations pour in after mass shooting leaves at least 59 people dead and more than 500 injured
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A fundraising page for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting has raised more than $2.2m (£1.66m) within hours of the attack.
Donations flooded in after at least 59 people were killed and more than 500 injured when a gunman opened fire on a music festival from the 32nd floor of the adjacent Mandalay Bay hotel.
Police have named the shooter as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, who is said to have shot himself after carrying out the massacre.
The GoFundMe fundraising page was set up by Steve Sisolak, Chair of the Clark County Commission, to “provide relief and financial support to the victims and families of the horrific Las Vegas mass shooting”. Mr Sisolak said he was at the county’s main trauma clinic with victims and their families.
More than 30,000 people have donated to the fund, with many leaving messages of condolence for the victims.
“The unimaginable has reached Las Vegas”, wrote one. “My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone.”
Another said: “Prayers for the victims, family and friends of this heart-breaking and senseless terror attack. I am just sickened to know that another human being this evil could live among us.”
In addition to donating to the fund and to the American Red Cross, authorities have asked people in Las Vegas to donate blood for the wounded.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department wrote on Twitter: “If you would like to donate blood for the injured victims of the Strip shooting visit the Labor Health & Welfare Clinic, 7135 W. Sahara.”
Isis claimed responsibility for the attack within hours of it taking place, saying the gunman had recently converted to Islam and was a “soldier of the Islamic State”.
However, the FBI said there was no indication that there were any links to international terrorism so far.
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