Celebrities have begun to respond to last night’s horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas, offering their condolences to victims and their families, and urging the public to label it an act of domestic terrorism.
“We need love, unity, peace, gun control & for people to look at this & call this what it is = terrorism” Ariana Grande wrote on Twitter. In May, at the singer’s own Manchester concert, 22 people were killed and another 250 were injured by a terrorist attack. She held a benefit concert in the city the following month, raising £10 million for victims of the violence.
Gigi Hadid also tweeted a strong condemnation of America’s lax gun laws, writing “It sickens me the ease in which a TERRORIST can be sold a GUN. Is the ease really worth all these lives ?! This needs to stop.”
Rihanna shared her condolences on Instagram and Twitter, adding “This was a horrific act of terror!!” Lady Gaga shared a similar message: “This is terrorism plain and simple.”
Donald Trump sent his “condolences and sympathies” to victim’s families over Twitter, but he’s yet to call the mass shooting an act of domestic terrorism. Of his reluctance, Ava DuVernay wrote “The lone wolf. The local shooter. The gunman. Any and everything, but terrorist. Wonder why.”
Stephen Paddock, the 64-year-old suspected gunman, is reported to have opened fire on a country music festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, allegedly killing 59 people and injuring 527 others. Police report Paddock killed himself after the shooting spree. They found at least 20 rifles in his hotel room.
Kim Kardashian West encouraged her followers to donate blood in Nevada, where it is urgently needed. Find the list of donation centres below.