Oct. 13 (UPI) — Las Vegas investigators believe the gunman who opened fire on country music concert goers, killing 58, intentionally shot at aviation fuel tanks at a nearby airport, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said Friday.
In the days after the Oct. 1 attack, police said they found evidence at least two bullets hit the tanks at McCarran International Airport. Stephen Paddock opened fire on the crowd from the 32nd floor of his Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino hotel room, though he may have had additional plans to try to cause an explosion at the airport.
“It is believed the fuel tanks were fired upon with intent,” Lombardo said during a new conference.
A statement from the airport said airport officials found one bullet penetrated a tank partially filled with jet fuel and another bullet lodged in the outer steel shell of the tank but did not penetrate.
“Contrary to speculation, there is almost zero likelihood gunfire damage could trigger a fire or explosion at a commercial fuel storage facility,” the statement said, since jet fuel is a combustible, not flammable liquid.
Also during Friday’s update, Lombardo said investigators still have not found any ties between the shooter terror groups or extremism. An autopsy also did not find any brain abnormalities in Paddock, though further tests were underway.
Lombardo said that of the 546 reported injuries, 501 people have been discharged from the hospital, with 45 still in treatment.
