Sheriff: Evidence Suggests Las Vegas Gunman Planned On Escaping Hotel After Massacre

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo on Oct. 5 said he believed there was evidence that Stephen Paddock may have had additional plans after his shooting rampage in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

“Did you see any evidence that he planned to survive this or try to escape?” a reporter asked during a press briefing.

“Yes,” Lombardo answered succinctly, without elaborating.

Lombardo mentioned cameras that Paddock had rigged inside and outside his hotel suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino — a tactic seen by investigators as a means to monitor and fend off law-enforcement officers in the hotel hallway.

Sheriff Lombardo says authorities have seen evidence Las Vegas shooter planned to survive and possibly escape https://t.co/q3YSXGGVUtpic.twitter.com/8813G3dJjs

— ABC News (@ABC) October 5, 2017

The sheriff also mentioned the gunman's vehicle, which had multiple containers of the explosive material Tannerite and 1,600 rounds of ammunition inside. It was not immediately clear what, if any, additional plans Paddock may have had for if he were able to leave the scene before the police arrived.

The gunfire lasted for about 10 minutes on Oct. 1, beginning at about 10:05 p.m. PDT, Lombardo said. Fifty-eight people were killed and many hundreds were injured. The shooter had nearly two dozen firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition in the hotel suite.

Paddock is believed to have killed himself as the police descended on his room.

Lombardo said Wednesday night that investigators were trying to figure out whether Paddock had any help collecting his arsenal or planning the rampage, which has been found to be meticulously planned. The investigation is ongoing.

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