News

Actions

Las Vegas mass shooting deadliest in US history

Posted
and last updated

A gunman fired from the 32nd floor of a building in Las Vegas on Sunday local time, killing 59 according to Las Vegas Sheriff Joe Lombardo. The shooting also wounded more than 515 during a music festival. 

Related: At least 50 dead in shooting

The shooting, which started at 10:08 p.m. local time is the deadliest in recent US history if the numbers are correct. 

Here is a look at the six deadliest shootings since 1960: 

59 killed — October 1, 2017 - Las Vegas music festival

A gunman fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel, killing 59, and wounding more than 500. The shooting took place during a music festival, where popular country artist Jason Aldean was performing. The suspect died after Sunday's mass shooting. The shooter was identified as a 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, a white 64-year-old male. 

49 killed — June 12, 2016 — Orlando's Pulse Nightclub

Police said that 49 people were killed at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida by a lone gunman. The FBI said that the shooter, Omar Mateen, claimed allegience to the Islamic State group during a 911 call to police. Mateen was shot to death by police.

32 killed -— April 16, 2007 — Virginia Tech

Gunman Seung-Hui Cho was a senior at Virginia Tech before he shot his first victim in a residence hall. He then stormed into the  Engineering building on campus, and took out 31 additional victims before taking his own life. This was the deadliest mass shooting in US history before last year's Pulse Nightclub shooting.

28 killed — December 14, 2012 — Sandy Hook

In a horrific attack of a first-grade classroom, 20 first graders were among the 28 killed in an attack on Sandy Hook Elementary School. Of the 28 killed, 27 were actually killed on school property, and one other person - the suspect's mother - was shot offsite. The massacre at the elementary school set off a political firestorm over gun laws in the United States. 

23 killed — October 16, 1991 — Luby's shooting

George Hennard drove his pickup truck through the wall of Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas and began opening fire on patrons killing 23. Hennard reloaded several times in the restroom before getting into a shootout with police. After police wounded Hennard, he took his own life.

21 killed — July 18, 1984 - San Ysidro McDonald's massacre

At the time, this was the deadliest massacre in United States history. The attack took place near San Diego, and happened at a McDonald's restaurant. James Oliver Huberty killed 21 before a SWAT unit took out Huberty.