Politics & Government
Connecticut Reacts To Las Vegas Shooting
At least 50 people were killed and more than 400 injured after a gunman opened fire on a country concert on the Las Vegas strip.

LAS VEGAS, NV — Connecticut's leaders are demanding action after at least 50 people were killed and more than 400 injured when a gunman opened fire at a country music concert in Las Vegas Sunday night. Sen. Chris Murphy called out fellow legislators for being afraid of the gun industry and said there aren't public policy responses to the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
“This must stop. It is positively infuriating that my colleagues in Congress are so afraid of the gun industry that they pretend there aren't public policy responses to this epidemic," Murphy, a Democrat, said in a statement on his website. "There are, and the thoughts and prayers of politicians are cruelly hollow if they are paired with continued legislative indifference. It's time for Congress to get off its ass and do something."
It is not known if there are any ties to Connecticut as of 10:30 a.m. State Police spokeswoman Trooper Kelly Grant said the state urges residents to be vigilant.
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"Connecticut state troopers remind residents to remain vigilant," Grant said. "If you see something out of place or suspicious activity contact police."
Watch: At Least 50 Dead, 200 Injured After Las Vegas Concert Shooting
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At 10:08 p.m. local time in Las Vegas, a gunman began opening fire on a 22,000-person crowd that gathered for a Jason Aldean concert. The barrage lasted for about 30 seconds and then there was a pause before the shots started again. People climbed over each other, running for safety as people were shot around them.
Las Vegas Sheriff Joe Lombardo said the shooter is dead and identified him as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nevada. Lombardo said that Paddock had killed himself before officers entered the hotel room. Authorities believe Paddock acted alone.
Read more:
- Las Vegas Mass Shooting: More Than 50 Dead, 400 Injured In Worst Shooting In U.S. History, Says Sheriff
- Las Vegas Shooting: Raw Videos Capture Moments As Carnage Unfolded
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Murphy has championed gun control as an issue of focus since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, when 20 students and six educators were gunned down in the nation's deadliest school shooting. Additional gun control laws were signed in Connecticut, and executive orders were made by President Obama, but no legislation passed through Congress in response to the shooting.
Sandy Hook mother Nelba Marquez-Greene blamed the Las Vegas shooting on Congress' lack of action in a series of tweets Monday morning. Marquez-Greene lost her 6-year-old daughter, Anna, during the shooting at Sandy Hook.
Every day, I am stunned by the level of trauma (direct or vicarious) congress is willing to make us suffer through. #Newtown #LasVegas
— Nelba Márquez-Greene (@Nelba_MG) October 2, 2017
I don’t know what to say besides this is on every congressperson who said in ‘13: There is simply nothing we could do. #LasVegas #Newtown
— Nelba Márquez-Greene (@Nelba_MG) October 2, 2017
Gov. Dannel Malloy offered the state's condolences to Las Vegas Monday morning. Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman also offered her condolences. Malloy ordered all flags to fly at half staff in honor of the victims of the Las Vegas shooting.
"Our hearts are breaking for the Las Vegas community," Malloy said in a statement."This morning, our nation woke up to yet another senseless tragedy - one that we have seen repeated far too many times. While we do not know all the details of what took place in Las Vegas - we are incredibly grateful to the first responders and the everyday citizens who bravely risked their lives to save others. We send our sincerest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and we pray for the recovery of the survivors. To all those impacted by last night’s shooting - Connecticut stands with you."
“We join the country in mourning the citizens who were killed in Las Vegas last night," Wyman added. "Our thoughts are with the injured, and with the families who were plunged into the horror of waiting for news on their loved ones. I want to commend the first responders and other citizens who acted with bravery and courage despite the terrible events. Their actions saved lives and we thank them for what they did to protect residents.”
Patch will update this story.
Image: David Becker/Getty Images News/Getty Images
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