Although many of the questions surrounding Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock’s motivations remain unanswered, new evidence and strange occurrences are starting to indicate that Paddock may not have acted alone in the deadly mass shooting that left over 500 wounded and 58 dead.
Senior law enforcement officials told NBC News today that investigators have discovered two unexplainable occurrences involving Stephen Paddock’s activities prior to opening fire on the crowd of country music fans.
First, investigators found a cell phone charger in Stephen Paddock’s hotel room that did not match any of the cellphones that belonged to the gunman. The keyword that may be overlooked in this statement is “cellphones”, as in plural, indicating there were multiple cell phones found in Paddock’s suite or his adjacent hotel room, which was rented out in his girlfriend’s name (Marilou Danley). Multiple cellphones may indicate that Paddock was in communication with individuals who were aware of his intentions, or assisted him directly, and he was careful enough to use multiple devices in order to avoid detection.
Second, authorities have discovered that during a period of time when Paddock’s car had left the hotel’s garage, one of his hotel room keycards was used to enter his room. Either someone was taking Paddock’s car for a drive while he remained in the hotel, or that situation was reversed and Paddock was leaving the grounds while another person was accessing his room. In either case, it would appear someone else was with Paddock prior to the shooting and may have been aware of his plans.
The investigators are puzzled by two discoveries: First, a charger was found that does not match any of the cellphones that belonged to the gunman, Stephen Paddock.
And second, garage records show that during a period when Paddock’s car left the hotel garage, one of his key cards was used to get into his room.
There are several possible explanations for these anomalies, the investigators say, but they want to get to the bottom of it.
They are also examining his finances. IRS records show that Paddock was a successful gambler, earning at least $5 million in 2015. Some of that could be from other investments, but most of it was from gambling, officials say.
This new development appears to align with evidence uncovered only days ago in the form of a room service receipt matching Paddock’s room number that displayed meals ordered for two guests.
The receipt says “IRD-MB”, which means “In Room Dining, Mandalay Bay.” The table #32135 is the room # since it was room service. The number in brackets after several of the food items,”2.00”, indicates those meal items were for an additional person in the room. One theory is that Paddock himself ordered the Angus Burger, while the bagel with cream cheese and potato soup were for another person present.
Perhaps there are other explanations for the room service receipt indicating two people being present in Paddock’s hotel room, yet this new evidence appears to bolster the theory that Paddock did not act alone.
Further bolstering the claim that Paddock did not act alone comes from a statement made by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Joseph Lombardo during a press conference Wednesday.
“Do you think this was all accomplished on his own?” Lombardo asked, noting the arsenal of weapons the shooter amassed, and the discovery of explosives in his car. He added: “You’ve got to make the assumption he had to have some help at some point.”
As authorities maintain their public position that they have yet to discover a motive behind Paddock’s actions, the trickle of information being released is beginning to paint a picture of what may turn out to be a much larger plot involving many other people or groups.