At least 50 people are dead and more than 200 others have been injured after a gunman opened fire in Las Vegas, police have confirmed.
Las Vegas Sherriff Joseph Lombardo said the suspected shooter was caught by police on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino after they were called at 10:08pm local time on Sunday about reports of shots being fired towards the Route 91 Harvest festival.
The suspect has been named by police as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock.
Officers responded to the incident and engaged with the suspected shooter, who was a local resident, at the location but he has since died.
Police officers stand at the scene of a shooting near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino. Source: AAP, AP
He said the suspect's religious affiliation was unknown at this time.
The suspect was described as being a local Las Vegas man who acted alone and was not believed to be connected to any militant group, Sherriff Lombardo told reporters.
"We have no idea what his belief system was," he said.
"Right now, we believe he was the sole aggressor and the scene is static."
Previously a spokeswoman for the University Medical Center Hospital said 14 of the wounded were in a critical condition with all suffering gunshot wounds.
Pictured is Marilou Danley who is being sought for questioning on the investigation into the active shooter incident on Las Vegas Boulevard. Source: LAS VEGAS MET. POLICE DEPT.
Just hours after the shooting unfolded, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said on Twitter: "Confirming that one suspect is down. This is an active investigation. Again, please do not head down to the Strip at this time."
One Twitter user posted the hotel was on lockdown, while another, citing police scanners, said two gunmen who had shot at a bodyguard and police were on the 32nd floor of the hotel.
Crowds at the Route 91 Harvest festival on Sunday night where the shooting was carried out. Source: Las Vegas News Bureau/AAP
Witnesses heard numerous gunshots at the casino hotel, where police tactical teams were searching for the attacker, according to reports on CNN and in The New York Times.
But it was unclear how many gunmen carried out the shooting.
Earlier on Monday night, police confirmed on Twitter they are investigating reports of an active shooter at the Mandalay Bay Casino on the city's famous strip.
One witness told local TV news channel KSNV News 3 multiple people were shot and they were being loaded into ambulances.
Several people including a police officer had been shot at a nearby outdoor concert, the newspaper reported.
Another witness Eiki Hrafnsson shared footage of people fleeing during the reported shooting.
Haunting footage has also emerged of the moment gun shots were heard during the Route 91 Harvest festival while headlining artist Jason Aldean was performing.
Flights at McCarran International Airport have temporarily halted after the shooting unfolded.
Witnesses on social media said the shooting broke out on the last night of the three-day Route 91 Harvest festival, a sold-out event attended by thousands and featuring top acts such as Eric Church, Sam Hunt and Aldean.
US media, including Fox News, reported Aldean was performing on Sunday night when the rampage began but that he had been bundled safely off stage at the event outside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in the Nevada gambling mecca.
Aldean shared his heartbreak on Instagram in the early hours of Monday morning local time.
"Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still don't know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that me and my crew are safe," he said.
"My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night."
Video clips posted online showed what sounded like automatic weapons as panicked concertgoers fled or dropped to the ground screaming.
