U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the public on Monday, calling for unification after the devastating mass shooting, which has been described as the deadliest one in recent U.S. history. Trump called the shooting, which resulted in over 50 casualties and 400 injured, “an act of pure evil”, as CNN reports. The shooter was identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, who committed the horrific crime from the 32nd floor of a Las Vegas hotel, from where he opened fire on an open-air country music festival.
Trump also expressed his deep grief over the victims, announcing he would be visiting Las Vegas this Wednesday where he will be meeting with the families of the victims. The President thanked the Metropolitan Police Department for their efforts at saving many lives and for their effectiveness in finding the shooter. After the news of the shooting, the flags were flown at half staff at the directive of the President and a moment of silence was held at the White House. Vice President Mike Pence and the First Lady, Melania Trump also expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and praised the efforts of the law-enforcement, NBC News reports.
A similar tragic event, the Orlando shooting of June 2016, was previously used by Trump to further his cause and temporarily ban the entering of Muslims in the country.
“I said this was going to happen – and it is only going to get worse”, said Trump afterwards. His statement was received with a lot of criticism, and the president was condemned for associating the massacre to Islamist terrorism.
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