Stephen Paddock Date of Birth: Key Verified Facts
Stephen Craig Paddock was born on April 9, 1953. This date is recorded in public and official sources, including county and state birth indexes that typically compile accurate entries based on filed reports. Paddock is widely known for the October 1, 2017, mass shooting in Las Vegas, which remains one of the deadliest incidents of gun violence in modern U.S. history. Understanding his documented date of birth anchors biographical timelines and helps distinguish verified information from speculation or misinformation circulating after the event.
Why Birth Date Accuracy Matters
Correctly establishing Paddock’s birth date is essential for several reasons. It anchors chronological accuracy for timelines used by investigators, journalists, and researchers. It also affects how records such as employment, residency, and legal documents align temporally. In high-profile cases, misinformation about basic identifiers can distort public understanding and complicate historical record-keeping. Verified dates, drawn from authoritative repositories, reduce confusion and support factual discourse.
Public Records and Source Verification
Birth dates for U.S. citizens are generally maintained by state vital records offices and county health departments. For widely reported cases, researchers often cross-reference multiple authoritative datasets. The following table summarizes how Stephen Paddock’s date of birth appears across different record types.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen Craig Paddock | Law enforcement records |
| Date of Birth | April 9, 1953 | Birth index / public records |
| Place of Birth | Clinton, Iowa | Census and state data |
| Residence at Time of Incident | Mesquite, Nevada | Property and court records |
| Incident Date | October 1, 2017 | Law enforcement reports |
Biographical Context and Background
Stephen Paddock grew up in the Midwest and later moved to Nevada, where he lived in the Mesquite area. He worked as an internal auditor and held various jobs that required attention to detail. Leading up to 2017, he maintained a relatively private lifestyle, which, combined with the scale of the attack, prompted extensive post hoc analysis. Documenting basic facts such as his birth date helps frame more substantive discussion about risk factors, detection, and prevention without drifting into unverified conjecture.
Common Misinformation Patterns
In the wake of major incidents, false or misremembered dates circulate on social platforms and in speculative reporting. For Paddock, some narratives have conflicted with established records, underscoring the need to rely on primary documents. Birth indexes, court filings, and official statements tend to align on April 9, 1953. Being explicit about this date and the evidence behind it is an effective way to counter rumor-driven distortions and uphold informational integrity.
Impact on Historical Record and Research
Consistent use of verified dates supports longitudinal research into public safety, gun violence trends, and community resilience. When datasets uniformly reference April 9, 1953, analysts can more reliably compare demographics, incident outcomes, and policy responses. This uniformity also aids educators, archivists, and librarians who curate materials for public understanding. Maintaining clarity around fundamental facts ensures that more complex evaluations of motive, prevention, and policy remain grounded in evidence.
Ongoing Public Interest and Information Hygiene
Events like the Las Vegas shooting continue to draw search interest, especially as new audiences encounter retrospective coverage. Applying disciplined information hygiene—checking date of birth and other biographical details against authoritative records—helps audiences navigate coverage responsibly. Relying on high-integrity sources when exploring topics such as Stephen Paddock’s date of birth contributes to a more informed public dialogue and reduces the spread of unverified claims.