Las Vegas mass shooter Stephen Paddock who murdered at least 59 people at a country-music concert on Sunday may have had another target in mind. According to a senior law enforcement source who spoke to the ‘Daily Beast’, Paddlock have originally targeted Life is Beatiful festival held the previous weekend.
Stephen Paddock rented multiple condos overlooking the annual Life Is Beautiful Festival, which this year was headlined by Kaskade, Pretty Lights and Gorillaz, said the source, who is not directly involved in the investigation but has been briefed on its progress. Attendance numbers for this year’s Life is Beautiful fest have not yet been released, but 137,000 people attended last year.
The official indicated that Paddock either lost his nerve or changed his plans before targeting a country music festival during the weekend after Life is Beautiful.
In an effort to confirm the report, The Daily Beast visited the Ogden, a 21-story luxury condominium tower with a line of sight to the concert-grounds.
“We’re not in a position to confirm or deny anything about Mr. Paddock’s dealings. I suggest you contact Metro [police]. As you know this is an on going investigation,” said Melissa Warren, public affairs officer for Fais Foley Warren, owner of the Ogden.
Life is Beautiful festival CEO Justin Weniger released a statement following the tragic events at Route 91 Harvest Fest:
“The Life is Beautiful Festival family is devastated by the horrific events that took place on Oct. 1 in our hometown of Las Vegas. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in our community, the victims, their families and the first responders.
Life is Beautiful is founded in the beliefs of community and our collective love for each other and the arts as well as making the world a more beautiful and loving place. In the wake of this tragedy, we gather strength from these ideals and urge everyone to come together as a community, support and love one another. We will overcome the hate and the divisiveness together. We will lean on each other to move forward and to create a world in which love is the only option.”
