2017 Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories

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Aerial photos of Las Vegas Village and Festival Grounds on the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada, taken a week before the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

There are some conspiracy theories about the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, the deadliest mass shooting by one gunman in American history.[1] These hypotheses offer alternate explanations to the official version of the incident, including speculation about the involvement of shooters other than the identified perpetrator, Stephen Paddock.[2][3]

One of the most popular conspiracy theories suggests the involvement of several shooters, which contradicts the official narrative that Stephen Paddock acted alone.[4] This argument contends that additional gunmen were involved in the massacre, contesting the sole responsibility assigned to Paddock by law enforcement investigations. There is speculation that law enforcement, such as the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are concealing information concerning the shooting, such as the motive or potential involvement of others.[5] Conspiracy theories circulating online and in certain fringe groups contend that the federal government staged the 2017 Las Vegas shooting in order to justify the ban on bump stocks.[6][7] The U.S Justice Department outlawed bump stocks in December 2018, but the Supreme Court reversed the decision in 2024 due to a lack of a legislative justification.[8][9] Conspiracy theories say that Stephen Paddock utilized a machine gun, such as a M249 or M240, rather than the AR-15-style rifles discovered by law enforcement.[10] Despite official investigations and evidence indicating the use of various firearms, including rifles, some individuals continue to believe in the machine gun theory. False accusations that the shooting did not occur or was orchestrated by "crisis actors" were among the theories.[11][12] This interpretation is often fueled by a combination of disbelief in official narratives, the complexity and scale of the attack, and the quick spread of unconfirmed information online. No motive has been found for the Las Vegas shooting as of 2024.[13][14][15]

Background

On October 1, 2017, Stephen Paddock opened fire from his 32nd-floor hotel room at the Mandalay Bay during the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas, killing 60 and injuring hundreds more. Paddock was discovered dead in his room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his motive is unknown.

Following the shooting, several conspiracy theories, misinformation, and fake news circulated on social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook.[16][17][18] The Federal Bureau of Investigation has always stated that there was just one gunman in the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, dismissing suggestions of additional gunmen. The investigation found that Stephen Paddock acted alone, which is supported by considerable evidence, including witness testimony, ballistic analysis, and CCTV footage.​[19][20] Some individuals are skeptical and frustrated with the FBI's determination that Stephen Paddock did not utilize machine guns during the Las Vegas shooting. This is due in part to the high rate of fire heard during the attack, which which many believed sounded like machine guns.[21][22]

Theories

Political motivation

The conspiracy theory surrounding the 2017 Las Vegas shooting suggests that there was government involvement or cover-up due to inconsistencies in the official narrative and the quick closure of the investigation.

Antifa and Left-Wing Connections

According to conspiracy theories, the gunman, Stephen Paddock, was linked with Antifa, an anti-fascist organization. Radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones popularized this theory, claiming that Paddock selected a country music festival because it was likely to be attended by "pro-gun folks and Trump supporters." In 2017, Infowars stated that an unknown source said the FBI discovered antifa literature in Stephen Paddock's hotel room, implying a link to Antifa.[23][24] However, no evidence supports any link between Paddock and Antifa.​[25][26] Various contradicting explanations about Paddock's motivations arose as a result of a 4chan scheme to create fake narratives. These included assertions that Paddock had recently joined Islam, wrongly portraying him as a left-leaning Democrat who watched mainstream liberal media, and that he was a "antifa Bernie Bro."[27][28]

Islamic State involvement theory

Another assumption suggested that Paddock was associated with ISIS, which claimed responsibility for the massacre through its Amaq News Agency. Despite the group's history of claiming credit for various attacks, such as the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016, regardless of actual involvement, this theory found support among certain conspiracy theorists.[29][30][31] The FBI determined that Stephen Paddock, the perpetrator of the 2017 Las Vegas massacre, had no ties to ISIS or any other international terrorist organization.[32] Similarly, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated that their investigation found no ties between Paddock and any terrorist organization.[33] They concentrated on determining Paddock's motivation and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. This early speculation caused confusion and misinformation in the public.[34]

Foreknowledge

The bigger conspiracy theory is that the killing was coordinated or supported by members of the United States government or the "deep state."[35] Proponents of this view, including Alex Jones, claim that the incident was a false flag operation aimed to push a certain political objective, such as gun control.[36]​ Conspiracy theorists frequently use the bump stock ban in response to mass shootings, to back up their accusations. Some conspiracy theorists have referenced Las Vegas police's delayed response to Stephen Paddock's room during the 2017 shooting to back up their assertions.[37] The leaking of crime scene photographs from Stephen Paddock's suite after the Las Vegas massacre has fueled conspiracy theories due to questions of lack of transparency.[38] Concerns are raised regarding whether the leaked images properly show the crime scene as discovered by detectives. Speculations of tampering, such as relocating Paddock's body before documentation, call into question the murder scene's initial conditions.[39]

Multiple shooters theory

There is speculation that Paddock did not act alone, suggesting the involvement of multiple shooters. This theory posits that Paddock may have been framed as a fall guy by the actual perpetrators of the attack. It often references eyewitness testimonies and raises questions about how Paddock managed to transport numerous weapons into his hotel room.[40]

References

  1. ^ Davich, Jerry (2017-10-10). "Conspiracy theories about Las Vegas shooting plant seeds of doubt, intrigue". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  2. ^ Criss, Doug (2018-02-21). "The mass shooting conspiracy theories that just won't go away (and why they should)". CNN. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  3. ^ Lisi, Brian (2017-11-28). "Alex Jones claims Las Vegas massacre was 'phony' — 'It's all part of this deal Trump's got with the Saudis'". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  4. ^ "Five of the craziest conspiracy theories about the Las Vegas shootings". Yahoo News. 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  5. ^ "What are they hiding? FBI redactions mask 1 October information". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  6. ^ Levin, Sam (2017-10-06). "YouTube alters search algorithm over fake Las Vegas conspiracy videos". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  7. ^ Jarvey, Natalie (2017-10-06). "YouTube Cracks Down on Las Vegas Shooting Fake News in Search Results". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  8. ^ "Supreme Court strikes down Trump-era ban on rapid-fire rifle bump stocks, reopening political fight". AP News. 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  9. ^ "Las Vegas shooting survivors stunned by Supreme Court gun ruling". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  10. ^ Godfrey, Elaine (2017-10-02). "Did the Las Vegas Shooting Involve an Automatic Weapon?". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  11. ^ Levin, Sam (2017-10-26). "'I hope someone truly shoots you': online conspiracy theorists harass Vegas victims". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  12. ^ Writer, Jessica Kwong Staff (2017-10-26). "Las Vegas Theory Claims Shooting Victims Are Actors". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  13. ^ "More than a year after the Las Vegas mass shooting, no motive determined by FBI report". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  14. ^ "FBI finds no specific motive in Vegas attack that killed 58". AP News. 2019-01-30. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  15. ^ Campbell, Josh (2019-01-29). "FBI ends its investigation into the Las Vegas massacre – with no motive found". CNN. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  16. ^ Chaykowski, Kathleen. "Facebook And Google Still Have A 'Fake News' Problem, Las Vegas Shooting Reveals". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  17. ^ Roose, Kevin (2017-10-02). "After Las Vegas Shooting, Fake News Regains Its Megaphone". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  18. ^ "Google Displayed Fake News in Wake of Las Vegas Shooting". Bloomberg.com. 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  19. ^ O'Rourke, Ciara. "Multiple shooter theory in Las Vegas massacre is false". @politifact. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  20. ^ Yamat, Rio; Ritter, Ken; Press, Associated (2023-03-30). "New FBI docs: Las Vegas mass shooter was angry at casinos". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  21. ^ "Everything We Know About the Gun Used in Las Vegas Shooting". Yahoo News. 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  22. ^ "Las Vegas shooting: Gun used 'bump-stock' device to shoot faster". 2017-10-03. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  23. ^ Grynbaum, Michael M. (2017-10-09). "Las Vegas Massacre Gives InfoWars More Conspiracy Fodder". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  24. ^ Writer, Maria Perez Staff (2017-10-17). "Las Vegas Shooting Conspiracy Theories". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  25. ^ depth, The Week Staff published inin (2017-10-06). "Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories: What are they and where did they come from?". theweek. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  26. ^ Johnson, Timothy (2017-10-06). "Alex Jones' week of Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories". Media Matters for America. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  27. ^ Romano, Aja (2017-10-05). "Most people saw the Las Vegas shooting as a tragedy. Propagandists saw an opportunity". Vox. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  28. ^ Evon, Dan (2017-10-03). "FACT CHECK: Was Las Vegas Shooter Identified at an Anti-Trump Protest?". Snopes. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  29. ^ "ISIS claim of responsibility in Las Vegas shooting is sign of desperation, say experts". NBC News. 2017-10-03. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  30. ^ "ISIS claims responsibility for Orlando mass shooting - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2016-06-13. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  31. ^ Wood, Graeme (2017-10-02). "Why Did the Islamic State Claim the Las Vegas Shooting?". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  32. ^ Daniels, Jeff (2017-10-02). "ISIS claim of link to Las Vegas shooter is a sign terror group is 'desperate' to remain relevant, experts say". CNBC. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  33. ^ "Police Say Gunman Had No Known Ties To Terrorist Groups or 'Ideologies' So Are Investigating His Mental State". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  34. ^ Qiu, Linda (2017-10-02). "False ISIS Connections, Nonexistent Victims and Other Misinformation in the Wake of Las Vegas Shooting". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  35. ^ depth, The Week Staff published inin (2017-10-06). "Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories: What are they and where did they come from?". theweek. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  36. ^ Johnson, Timothy (2017-10-06). "Alex Jones' week of Las Vegas shooting conspiracy theories". Media Matters for America. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  37. ^ "Las Vegas attack: What took police so long?". 2017-10-06. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  38. ^ Poppa, Doug (2017-12-10). "Stephen Paddock's body was moved prior to arrival of crime scene investigators". Baltimore Post-Examiner. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  39. ^ "Officers shared photo of gunman's body after Las Vegas shooting". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2018-12-01. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  40. ^ "Bodycam footage from Las Vegas shooting shows police believed there were multiple shooters - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2018-07-25. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
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