Investigators analyzing a computer belonging to Las Vegas shooter found "several hundred images of child pornography" on a Dell laptop belonging to Stephen Paddock, according to a report released today which includes several pictures of the 32nd floor room Paddock had rented.
Computer forensic analysis of a Dell laptop Model E5570 revealed numerous internet searches for open air venues.
Additionally, several hundred images of child pornography were located on the computer’s hard drive. The investigation into the source of these images is ongoing.
Speaking at his first press conference since last October, Las Vegas Sheriff Joe Lombardo told reporters that there is still no motive in the attack, and that while the FBI is pursuing a person of interest, Paddock's girlfriend, Marilou Danley, is not one of them.
The @Sheriff_LVMPD says @FBI investigation is continuing into a person of interest. That person is not #mariloudanley. #1October #LasVegasShooting pic.twitter.com/joZu3vlv4s
— Clark County Nevada (@ClarkCountyNV)
Primary findings from the report:
- Paddock acted alone. Thousands of hours of digital media were reviewed and after allthe interviews conducted, no evidence exists to indicate Paddock conspired with or actedin collusion with anybody else. This includes video surveillance, recovered DNA and analysis of cellular phones and computers belonging to Paddock.
- No suicide note or manifesto was found. Of all the evidence collected from rooms 32-135 and 32-134, there was no note or manifesto stating Paddock’s intentions. The only handwritten documentation found in either room was the small note indicating measurements and distances related to the use of rifles.
- There was no evidence of radicalization or ideology to support any theory that Paddock supported or followed any hate groups or any domestic or foreign terrorist organizations.Despite numerous interviews with Paddock’s family, acquaintances and gambling contacts, investigators could not link Paddock to any specific ideology.
- Paddock committed no crimes leading up to the October 1st mass shooting.
- Nothing was found to indicate motive on the part of Paddock or that he acted with anyone else
Paddock's google searches leading up to the attack included:
- How tall is Mandalay Bay/ Unknown date
- NV gun shows/ 09-02-17 & 09-30-17
- Life is Beautiful 2017/ 09-20-2017
- Excalibur Hotel & Casino/ 09-23-17
- Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Performing Arts Center/ 09-23-17
- Fremont Hotel & Casino/ 09-23-17
- El Cortez Hotel & Casino/ 09-23-17
- Family Courts & Services Center/ 09-23-17
- Gary Reese Freedom Park/ 09-23-17
- Cashman Center/ 09-23-17
- Cashman Field/ 09-23-17
- Neon Museum/ 09-23-17
- The Mob Museum/ 09-23-17
- Where is hard drive located on e5570/ 09-28-17
Las Vegas police also say Stephen Paddock also booked rooms at The Ogden condominium complex in downtown Las Vegas in late September, overlooking the "Life is Beautiful" open air festival. He was seen moving "numerous suitcases" from his vehicle to three units he rented.
As we reported last week, Paddock seemingly emailed himself discussing firearms, as revealed in an unsealed warrant;
"Investigators have been unable to figure out why Stephen Paddock would be exchanging messages related to weapons that were utilized in the attack between two of his email accounts. Conversely, if the Target Account was not controlled by Stephen Paddock, investigators need to determine who was communicating with him about weapons that were used in the attack," according to a warrant.
In an email sent from Paddock's Microsoft Live email account, "centralpark1@live.com" to "centralpark4804@gmail.com," Paddock wrote "try and ar before u buy. we have huge selection. located in the las vegas area." The "centralpark4804" account wrote back "we have a wide variety of optics and ammunition to try." Paddock emailed back "for a thrill try out bumpfire ar's with a 100 round magazine.
Investigators found 23 firearms in Paddock's room - several of which were outfitted with "bump-fire" stocks, a large quantity of ammunition, high capacity magazines, a handgun, a bulletproof vest and a "breathing apparatus" in Paddock's room. 1,600 round of additional ammunition along with 50 pounds of explosives and ammonium nitrate - often used to manufacture explosives, were found in his Hyundai Tucson SUV. Investigators say he planned to survive the assault and escape, and had set up several surveillance cameras in various locations throughout the room, the peep hole of his door, and in the hallway outside.
Upon searching Paddock's Mesquite, NV home, police recovered approximately 18 firearms, more ammonia nitrate, several pounds of the explosive tannerite, several rounds of ammunition, and "electronic devices" - while a "large quantity of ammunition and multiple firearms" were recovered from Paddock's Reno residence.
Furthermore, new photos from the report detail Paddock's room, including surveillance cameras, a note Paddock wrote with bullet drop calculations, and several unseen angles of the crime scene.
