Lack of clues hampers Vegas shooting investigation

Investigators admitted Monday they aren’t any closer to discovering what prompted a 64-year-old gambler to execute a meticulously planned attack on a Las Vegas concert last week, killing 58 people. More than a week after the Oct. 1 mass shooting, investigators have searched Stephen Paddock’s homes, interviewed friends and family, and probed his politics, finances, and social behavior. One former FBI profiler said Paddock’s apparent normalcy made for a fascinating investigation, but Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo called the lack of clues frustrating. “This individual purposely hid his actions leading up to this event, and it is difficult for us to find the answers to those actions,” he told reporters during a Monday news conference. Most mass murderers want people to know why they kill, but Paddock left no suicide note or manifesto. His lack of social media interactions left no digital trail to follow. Instead, investigators are piecing together details from Paddock’s life for some clue about his mental state. So far, nothing has raised any red flags. On Monday, Lombardo released new details about the attack, revealing Paddock first shot at a hotel security guard who responded to sounds of drilling coming from the shooter’s room. Paddock didn’t start firing on concertgoers until after he shot and wounded the security guard. Police initially speculated the guard’s interruption might have prompted Paddock to stop shooting.