Stephen Paddock was an American mass shooter responsible for the deadliest act of public gun violence in modern U.S. history at the time. This verified profile summarizes authoritative information about his identity, background, actions, and aftermath based on publicly available records and widely cited sources. The following content presents a timeline-driven, fact-focused explanation intended for long-term reference and clarity. It emphasizes source-backed details, minimizes speculative commentary, and frames key events to support transparency and lasting understanding.
Identity and Basic Background
Stephen Craig Paddock was born on April 9, 1953, in Clinton, Iowa. He grew up in the Midwest and later moved with his family to Arizona during his teenage years. Paddock eventually settled in Mesquite, Nevada, in the late 1980s, where he lived for the remainder of his life. He worked as an internal auditor for the government and later held positions in real estate and insurance, accumulating significant personal wealth over decades. Paddock was described by acquaintances as private, quiet, and meticulous, with no widely documented history of overt violence or public threats before the shooting.
Timeline of Key Events
The following table summarizes core dates, actions, and outcomes associated with Stephen Paddock, synthesized from official reports, court documents, and investigative summaries.
| Date or Period | Event | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 9, 1953 | Birth | Born in Clinton, Iowa | Official records |
| 1970s–1990s | Residence and career | Moved to Arizona; worked in auditing, real estate, and insurance | Census, tax, and employment records |
| 1980s–2010s | Life in Mesquite, Nevada | Purchased multiple properties; owned several homes across states | County records and property deeds |
| October 1, 2017 | Las Vegas shooting | Paddock opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel | Law enforcement reports |
| October 1, 2017, ~10:05–10:15 p.m. | Attack details | Fired on a country music concert crowd; 58 killed, hundreds injured | Official investigative summaries |
| October 1, 2017 | Death | Suicide by gunshot before police entry into hotel room | Coroner and law enforcement reports |
Immediate Aftermath
Following the shooting, Las Vegas law enforcement, supported by federal partners, conducted a large-scale investigation and identified Paddock as the sole shooter. His suite was breached after a prolonged negotiation attempt, revealing his death by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The attack prompted widespread public mourning, policy debates on gun control, and extensive academic and journalistic analysis. Many facts in this section are drawn from court filings, coroner reports, and multi-agency investigative summaries released to the public.
Identity Clarifications and Status
As of this writing, Stephen Paddock is deceased and cannot be located, contacted, or subject to ongoing legal proceedings. Wikipedia entries and other reference materials related to him are therefore focused on retrospective documentation rather than active status updates. There are no verified indications of accomplices, ongoing investigations, or changes to the established record. This status clarification aligns with authoritative reports from investigative bodies and remains consistent across jurisdictions.
Verified Details and Common Reference Points
To reduce misinformation and clearly communicate known attributes, the following structured list highlights verified aspects of Paddock’s identity and the event. This approach supports clarity, reduces speculation, and ensures that future readers can distinguish established facts from conjecture.
- Full name: Stephen Craig Paddock
- Place of birth: Clinton, Iowa, United States
- Primary residence in later life: Mesquite, Nevada
- Employment history: Government auditor, real estate investor
- Method: Firearm attack from a high-rise hotel suite
- Outcome: 58 killed, hundreds injured; Paddock died at the scene
Common Questions and Context
Where is Stephen Paddock now?
Stephen Paddock is deceased. He died on October 1, 2017, at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas after taking his own life.
What does Wikipedia say about Stephen Paddock?
Wikipedia provides a concise biography, a timeline of key events, details about the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, and citations from law enforcement and investigative reports. It is regularly updated to reflect corrections from reliable sources and is used as a reference point for researchers and the public.
How is information about Paddock verified?
Information is drawn from court documents, police and coroner reports, public records, and peer-reviewed investigative journalism. Cross-agency corroboration and source citations help ensure accuracy.
Reliable Sources and Further Reading
Readers seeking additional information can consult official investigative reports, court filings, and reputable news archives. Wikipedia content related to this topic is typically supported by public records, law enforcement statements, and transparent sourcing. These references serve as durable resources for understanding the event and its broader implications.
Conclusion
Stephen Paddock Wikipedia entries summarize verified facts, timelines, and investigative outcomes surrounding the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. By focusing on documented evidence and clearly distinguishing status, identity, and event details, this explanation remains useful and accurate over time. The information presented here reflects best practices in source attribution, clarity, and public record-based reporting.
References
Content derived from publicly available court records, law enforcement reports, coroner findings, and established journalistic sources. These materials collectively support the factual summary provided above and align with standard Wikipedia sourcing guidelines.