Editing Stephen Paddock

{{Important}}
{{Villain_Infobox|image = Steve Paddock.jpg|fullname = Stephen Craig Paddock|alias = The Las Vegas Shooter<br>Abu Abdul Barr al-Amriki|origin = Clinton, Iowa, United States|occupation = Accountant<br>Real estate investor|skills = Investing<br>Marksmanship<br>Intellect|hobby = Shooting people<br>Gambling<br> Playing video games<br>Watching child pornography<br> Going on the internet<br>Flying planes<br>|goals = Kill everyone at the Route 91 Harvest festival (failed)|crimes = 58 counts of [[murder]]<br>851 counts of attempted [[murder]]<br>Possession of [[child pornography]]<br>[[Pedophilia]] (possibly)|type of villain = Emotionless Mass Murderer}}
{{Quote|There are so many people who don't deserve to be alive. Too many people are so concerned with themselves. You could be there for everyone, but when you need someone, there's nobody to be seen. I became reclusive for that reason. The best way to live life is with a wall between you and everyone else. So, when they do hurt you, the sting isn't so bad.|Paddock in a text to his girlfriend, two days before the shooting.}}
'''Stephen Craig Paddock''' (April 9<sup>th</sup>, 1953 - October 1<sup>st</sup>, 2017) was an American mass murderer who killed at least 58 people during Jason Aldean's concert at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 1<sup>st</sup>, 2017. He shot himself when police closed in. It is currently ranked the deadliest [[Mass Shooting|mass shooting]] in modern American history, surpassing the Orlando nightclub shooting perpetrated by [[Omar Mateen]] the previous year.<ref name = shooting>[https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/las-vegas-shooting/las-vegas-police-investigating-shooting-mandalay-bay-n806461 Las Vegas Shooting: 59 Killed and More Than 500 Hurt Near Mandalay Bay], ''NBC News''</ref>

==Background==
Paddock, a native of Iowa, grew up in Tucson, Arizona and Sun Valley, California. He was one of three sons of [[Benjamin Paddock]], who had been convicted of bank robbery and was on the FBI's most wanted list after escaping from prison in 1969. Stephen was then 16.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/13/us/stephen-paddock-father-vegas.html Father's History Could Offer Insight Into Mind of Las Vegas Gunman], ''The New York Times''</ref><ref>[https://nationalpost.com/news/world/who-is-stephen-paddock-nothing-secret-or-strange-about-retiree-behind-las-vegas-shooting Who is Stephen Paddock? Las Vegas gunman's father was 'psychopathic' bank robber on FBI most-wanted list], ''The National Post''</ref>

Paddock graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in 1971.<ref>[https://www.dailynews.com/2017/10/02/suspected-las-vegas-shooter-graduated-from-sun-valley-high-school/ Suspected Las Vegas shooter graduated from Sun Valley high school], ''Los Angeles Daily News''</ref> He earned a degree in business administration from California State University, Northridge, in 1977.<ref>[https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/10/04/las-vegas-shooter-stephen-paddock-was-a-cal-state-northridge-graduate-university-confirms/ Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock was a Cal State Northridge graduate, university confirms], ''The Mercury News''</ref>

He was married and divorced twice, in 1977-1979, and in 1985-1990. He worked as an "internal auditor" for the predecessor of Lockheed Martin in 1985-1988.<ref>[https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/las-vegas-shooter-worked-for-predecessor-of-lockheed-martin Las Vegas shooter worked for predecessor of Lockheed Martin], ''Fox Business''</ref> He lived in Texas and Florida, including a retirement community in Melbourne, Florida from 2013-2015. He last lived in a retirement community in Mesquite, Nevada, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

While ''Newsweek'' reported that [[ISIS]] had claimed Paddock was a convert to Islam, so far the FBI has reported no evidence of that. ISIS claimed that in his alleged membership of ISIS, Paddock's name was Abu Abdul Barr al-Amriki.<ref>[https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/02/isis-claim-of-paddocks-link-is-a-sign-of-terror-groups-desperation.html ISIS claim of link to Las Vegas shooter is a sign terror group is 'desperate' to remain relevant, experts say], ''CNBC''</ref><ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/las-vegas-shooting-isis-claim-no-proof-stephen-paddock-linked-terror-group/ ISIS claims Las Vegas shooting, offers no proof], ''CBS News''</ref> Officials with the Church of the SubGenius did report he was a member of their church, but that he held no position within the church and they did not condone his actions. According to some reports, Paddock described himself as an atheist and often said to his Catholic girlfriend "your God doesn't love me".<ref>[https://www.casino.org/news/las-vegas-gunman-told-girlfriend-god-doesnt-love-me-prior-to-attack/ Las Vegas Gunman Told Girlfriend ‘God Doesn’t Love Me’ Prior to Attack, FBI Concludes Investigation], ''Casino''</ref>

His motive for the shooting is as yet unknown. Prior to the shooting, he had no criminal record. While a frequent gambler, he was apparently financially successful.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2019/01/29/689821599/fbi-finds-no-motive-in-las-vegas-shooting-closes-investigation FBI Finds No Motive In Las Vegas Shooting, Closes Investigation], ''NPR''</ref>

==2017 Las Vegas Strip shooting==
Stephen Paddock rented a room on the 32nd floor at Mandalay Bay on Thursday, September 28, three days before the massacre. The police found 23 rifles and one handgun inside his room, including the AR-15-style and AK-47-style rifles, and a large quantity of ammunition.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/02/us/las-vegas-shooting.html Multiple Weapons Found in Las Vegas Gunman’s Hotel Room], ''The New York Times''</ref> The number 23 is sacred to the Church of the SubGenius. Two of the rifles were mounted on tripods and were equipped with telescopic sights. According to firearms instructor Massad Ayoob, audio recordings of the attack indicated that the perpetrator probably used a bump fire device.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2017/10/03/555361499/did-the-las-vegas-shooter-use-a-device-that-helped-him-fire-faster Did The Las Vegas Shooter Use A Device That Helped Him Fire Faster?], ''NPR''</ref> A bump fire stock was also found in the room. According to police, Paddock acted alone and his motive is unknown. He was found dead in his room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.<ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/vegas-shooter-stephen-paddock-planned-escape-left-note-shooting-himself-678572 Vegas Shooter Stephen Paddock Planned To Escape But Shot Himself as SWAT Team Moved In], ''Newsweek''</ref>

== Victims ==
This is a list of victims who died in the shootings. In total, 58 were killed. 22 of the victims were male while 36 were female.<ref name = shooting></ref> The victims' names are followed by their date of birth, and their age at the time that they were killed.
# Hannah Ahlers - June 2, 1983 (34 years)
# Heather Alvarado - September 20, 1982 (35 years)
# Dorene Anderson - April 16, 1968 (49 years)
# Carrie Barnette - December 16, 1982 (34 years)
# Jack Beaton - December 10, 1962 (54 years)
# Steven Berger - September 30, 1973 (44 years)
# Candice Bowers - August 10, 1977 (40 years)
# Denise Burditus - June 5, 1967 (50 years)
# Sandy Casey - November 1, 1982 (34 years)
# Andrea Castilla - September 29, 1989 (28 years)
# Denise Cohen - August 2, 1959 (58 years)
# Austin Davis - June 20, 1988 (29 years)
# Thomas Day, Jr. - October 29, 1962 (54 years)
# Christiana Duarte - August 7, 1995 (22 years)
# Stacee Etcheber - February 2, 1967 (50 years)
# Brian Fraser - August 20, 1978 (39 years)
# Keri Galvan - August 20, 1986 (31 years)
# Dana Gardner - July 6, 1965 (52 years)
# Angela Gomez - December 26, 1996 (20 years)
# Rocio Guillen Rocha - December 20, 1976 (40 years)
# Charleston Hartfield - May 6, 1983 (34 years)
# Chris Hazencomb - September 27, 1973 (44 years)
# Jennifer Topaz Irvine - June 6, 1975 (42 years)
# Teresa Nicol Kimura - March 24, 1979 (38 years)
# Jessica Klymchuk - May 1, 1983 (34 years)
# Carly Kreibaum - December 9, 1983 (33 years)
# Rhonda LeRocque - August 29, 1975 (42 years)
# Victor Link - September 7, 1962 (55 years)
# Jordan McIldoon - October 6, 1993 (23 years)
# Kelsey Meadows - June 29, 1989 (28 years)
# Calla-Marie Medig - August 8, 1989 (28 years)
# James Melton - August 12, 1988 (29 years)
# Patricia Mestas - July 25, 1950 (67 years)
# Austin Meyer - September 18, 1993 (24 years)
# Adrian Murfitt - July 5, 1982 (35 years)
# Rachael Parker - December 16, 1983 (33 years)
# Jenny Parks - January 18, 1982 (35 years)
# Carrie Parson - December 28, 1985 (31 years)
# Lisa Patterson - June 26, 1971 (46 years)
# John Phippen - October 25, 1960 (56 years)
# Melissa Ramirez - November 29, 1990 (26 years)
# Jordyn Rivera - April 26, 1996 (21 years)
# Quinton Robbins - March 21, 1997 (20 years)
# Cameron Robinson - January 1, 1989 (28 years)
# Tara Roe - April 26, 1983 (34 years)
# Lisa Romero-Muniz - May 19, 1969 (48 years)
# Chris Roybal - October 9, 1988 (28 years)
# Brett Schwanbeck - January 31, 1956 (61 years)
# Bailey Schweitzer - April 5, 1997 (20 years)
# Laura Shipp - May 9, 1967 (50 years)
# Erick Silva - August 19, 1996 (21 years)
# Susan Smith - August 24, 1964 (53 years)
# Brennan Stewart - February 19, 1987 (30 years)
# Derrick Taylor - September 25, 1961 (56 years)
# Michelle Vo - January 10, 1985 (32 years)
# Kurt Von Tillow - December 4, 1961 (55 years)
# Bill Wolfe - October 15, 1974 (42 years)
# Neysa Tonks - July 27, 1971 (46 years)

==Trivia==
*It is believed that Paddock had planned the shooting for at least a year before committing it, as he started buying firearms almost regularly in the year before the shooting occurred.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/10/04/las-vegas-shooter-bought-33-guns-last-12-months/730634001/ Las Vegas shooter bought 33 guns in last 12 months], ''USA Today''</ref>
*He reportedly was having financial problems at the time of the shooting, and was also struggling with depression and alcoholism, which likely played a factor in the shooting.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/las-vegas-shooter-stephen-paddock-had-lost-money-been-depressed-sheriff-says/ Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock had lost money, been depressed, sheriff says], ''CBS News''</ref>
*When police raided his hotel room, they found several hundred [[Child Pornography|child pornography]] files on a laptop found with him<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/US/las-vegas-gunmans-computer-child-pornography-disturbing-search/story?id=52467413 Las Vegas gunman's computer had child pornography and 'disturbing search history,' report shows], ''ABC News''</ref>, as well as ammonium nitrate, which is often used in the creation of [[improvised explosive device]]s. Fortunately, no explosives had been created.<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/how-ammonium-nitrate-explodes-las-vegas-shooter-car-stephen-paddock-2017-10 Police found ammonium nitrate in the Las Vegas shooter's car — here's why the explosive material is so dangerous], ''Business Insider''</ref> Also found were hand-written notes regarding bullet trajectory, the elevation of his hotel room, and how the wind would affect his shooting, among similar details of that nature.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/las-vegas-gunman-stephen-paddock-note-hotel-room-details-of-bullet-trajectory/ Note in Las Vegas gunman's hotel room included details of bullet trajectory], ''CBS News''</ref>
*Paddock was an avid gambler, and therefore knew the Las Vegas area well.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2017/10/05/555949726/las-vegas-shooter-stephen-paddock-was-a-high-level-gambler Las Vegas Shooter Stephen Paddock Was A High-Level Gambler], ''NPR All Things Considered''</ref>
*At the time of the shooting, Paddock had been in a relationship with a woman from the Philippines, and several weeks before, told her to return to the Philippines and gave her money to purchase a house there.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/10/03/new-details-emerge-about-las-vegas-shooter-stephen-paddock-and-girlfriend-marilou-danley/ New details emerge about Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock and girlfriend Marilou Danley], ''The Washington Post''</ref>
*During the 1980's, he worked as an auditor with the Internal Revenue Service.
*He had a pilot license, as well as an Alaska hunting license.
*Some far-right conspiracy theorists have claimed that Paddock was either a registered Democrat or a member of [[Antifa]]. Neither claim has ever been substantiated, as Paddock's political affiliations, if he had any at all, are unknown, and there are no indications that he was involved with Antifa.<ref>[https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/10/5/16400394/las-vegas-shooting-fake-news-propaganda Most people saw the Las Vegas shooting as a tragedy. Propagandists saw an opportunity.], ''Vox''</ref>
*His birthday is on April 9, which is the same as [[Eric Harris]], who was born 28 years after Paddock. Harris was one of the two culprits, alongside [[Dylan Klebold]] responsible for the Columbine High School Massacre 18 year earlier.
*According to reports, he was a videogame fanatic, since childhood.

==Gallery==
===Images===
<gallery>
Stephen_Paddock.jpg|thumb|349x349px|''Stephen Craig Paddock''
stephen-paddock.jpg
paddock4b-ht-ml-171009_v12x5_4x3_992.jpg
paddock1-ht-ml-171009_v12x5_4x3_992.jpg
44FF919B00000578-4951334-Mystery_Stephen_Paddock_64_had_booked_himself_into_the_a_hotel_i-a-4_1507202109966.jpg
stephenpaddock2.jpg
thBE7WBGZD.jpg
thH0R15SUJ.jpg
Th-1514670020.jpg|'''Eric Paddock, Stephen's Brother'''
Untitled-1514669865.png|'''Benjamin Paddock, Stephen's Father'''
</gallery>

===Videos===
<YouTube width=320 height=180>https://youtu.be/WmJO82s4y-c</YouTube>
<YouTube width=320 height=180>https://youtu.be/53IOf90ftEY</YouTube>

==Sources==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Paddock Stephen Paddock on Wikipedia]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Las_Vegas_Strip_shooting 2017 Las Vegas Strip shooting]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Chronology|[[Omar Mateen]]|N/A}}
[[Category:List]]
[[Category:Male]]
[[Category:Modern Villains]]
[[Category:Murderer]]
[[Category:Suicidal]]
[[Category:Mentally Ill]]
[[Category:Destroyer of Innocence]]
[[Category:From Nobody to Nightmare]]
[[Category:Sadists]]
[[Category:Emotionless Villains]]
[[Category:Anti-Religious]]
[[Category:Mass Shooters]]
[[Category:Chaotic Evil]]
[[Category:Xenophobes]]
[[Category:Misogynists]]
[[Category:Abusers]]
[[Category:Animal Cruelty]]
[[Category:Criminals]]
[[Category:Psychopath]]
[[Category:Elderly]]
[[Category:One-Man Army]]
[[Category:Homicidal]]
[[Category:Mass Murderers]]
[[Category:Thugs]]
[[Category:Deceased]]
[[Category:Wealthy]]
[[Category:Paranoid]]
[[Category:Obsessed]]
[[Category:Tragic]]
[[Category:Delusional]]
[[Category:Perverts]]
[[Category:Greedy]]
[[Category:Anti-LGBT]]
[[Category:Anti-Christian]]
[[Category:Anti-Semitic]]
[[Category:Islamophobes]]
[[Category:Internet Memes]]
[[Category:Adulterers]]
[[Category:Wolves in sheep's clothing]]
[[Category:Terrorists]]
[[Category:Mastermind]]
[[Category:Business Leaders]]
[[Category:Wrathful]]
[[Category:Extravagant]]
[[Category:Misanthropes]]
[[Category:United States of America]]
[[Category:Cowards]]