Ian Carroll on America’s Deadliest Mass Shooting and Unanswered Questions They Don’t Want You to Ask

Key Takeaways

The official narrative of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting is questioned due to alleged inconsistencies and lack of clear motive.
Evidence from 911 calls and bodycam footage reportedly contradicts the lone gunman theory, indicating multiple active shooter incidents.
Several witnesses who claimed multiple shooters died suspiciously, raising concerns about a potential cover-up.
The handling and release of critical evidence, including police files and hotel surveillance, faced significant delays and alleged suppression.
Theories about Stephen Paddock's motive extend beyond a lone disgruntled man, including potential involvement in an 'arms deal' or acting as a 'patsy'.
A prominent theory links the shooting to a Saudi power struggle, suggesting an assassination attempt on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Reports of unusual aerial activity, including 'ghost helicopters' and fixed-wing aircraft, surfaced during the event.
Post-shooting incidents, such as active shooters at McCarran Airport and hangars, remain largely unexplained by official accounts.

The official narrative identifies Stephen Paddock as a lone gunman who shot over 1,000 rounds from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay, then committed suicide without clear motive or police intervention.
However, police bodycam videos and 911 calls indicate gunfire and potential suspects at other casinos, including the Bellagio and Tropicana, contradicting the lone gunman theory.
The discussion highlights alleged inconsistencies in the police response, including delayed entry into Paddock's room and the absence of a clear motive for his actions.

If the lone gunman theory is false, alternative scenarios are considered, ranging from organized crime to intelligence agency operations.
Discrepancies include clusters of deaths in areas not directly visible from Paddock's alleged position and bodies found in parking lots.
Witnesses and autopsy data suggest ground-level or airborne shooters, with some reporting helicopters firing into the crowd, which is absent from official reports.

MGM, a major property owner in Las Vegas, allegedly enforced non-disclosure agreements on employees and withheld security footage following the shooting.
Official accounts regarding hotel security guard Jose Campos being shot changed, raising questions about narrative control by authorities.
Investigating the Las Vegas shooting is described as complex, with extensive evidence challenging the official timeline and Campos's actions regarding gunfire.

The SWAT team's breach of Paddock's hotel room reportedly consisted of only one SWAT officer, two canine officers, and a small police group, not a large tactical operation.
Body camera footage, released months or over a year later, showed officers accidentally firing shots, contradicting earlier media reports of a gun battle.
Officers breached a second adjoining suite rented by Stephen Paddock, raising questions about how adjoining rooms were locked from the inside and potential tampering with door logs.

Stephen Paddock's hotel reservation included three unidentified women, and witnesses reported seeing him gambling with women described as Hispanic or South American.
The presence of 50 pounds of tannerite in Paddock's car is highlighted as unusual, with speculation it could be for desert shooting.
Speculation arises that Paddock may have been recruited to sell weapons through a 'honeypot' operation and potentially acted as a 'patsy'.

A theory suggests the Las Vegas shooting was an assassination attempt on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who was reportedly staying at the Mandalay Bay hotel.
The Mandalay Bay was partially owned by MBS's cousin, Al-Waleed bin Talal, suggesting a potential Saudi power struggle motive.
The theory contrasts with the official lone gunman explanation, presenting an ideologically motivated act against Westerners stemming from internal Saudi factions.

Months before the shooting, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) consolidated power in Saudi Arabia by removing hardliners and seizing assets.
This internal power struggle is presented as a potential motive, with a faction opposed to MBS possibly orchestrating the Las Vegas event.
Following the shooting, MBS initiated a purge, arresting and seizing billions of dollars from Saudi princes and officials, characterized as the 'Night of a Thousand Swords'.

Research suggests 'ghost helicopters' without transponders may have been involved in the Las Vegas shooting.
This theory is linked to Saudi Arabia's 'Operation Red Dawn' training exercise, conducted a month prior near Las Vegas.
The exercise involved the Saudi Royal Air Force and newly acquired Boeing AH-6I helicopters, described as stealthy, compact, and transportable in shipping containers.

The lack of released surveillance footage from Mandalay Bay and MGM's alleged gag orders on employees are highlighted as evidence concealment.
The possibility of a Saudi hit squad targeting a dignitary is explored as a reason for potential government withholding of information due to national security concerns.
The guest questions the absence of a large SWAT team at the shooting, suggesting their deployment may have been diverted to a more critical situation, such as protecting a dignitary.