BOSTON — The Las Vegas shooter’s manifesto ‘was in his body count,’ a criminologist told Boston 25 News Tuesday.
Northeastern University’s Jack Levin has been studying mass murder and serial killings for years. He says we may never know the reason why Stephen Paddock went on a rampage in Las Vegas Sunday night, but he did offer some explanations.
Paddock was found shot dead in a Mandalay Bay hotel room Sunday night after police say he unleashed a hail of gunfire into a crowd at a country music festival, killing 50 people and injuring almost 600.
MORE: Las Vegas Sheriff: There were cameras in the hotel room
“He was on a suicidal rampage and he wanted to go out in a blaze of glory, amassing the largest body count in recent U.S. history,” Levin said.
He said Paddock is not like any other mass murderer he has studied. Most mass killers are much younger than the 64-year-old Paddock, who killed complete strangers as opposed to the more commonplace victims: family or co-workers.
From his perch high up on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay, Paddock may never have seen the damage he was causing.
Levin said he didn't need to.
“Paddock didn’t actually have to see the faces of his victim,” he said. “He only had to spray the bullets.”
Levin says most mass killer are motivated by loss. In this case, Paddock's girlfriend, to whom he wired $100,000 in the Philippines, could be a factor.
“One of the catastrophic losses we often see in a mass murder is when loved ones leave,” said Levin. “When they are no longer around. Then the killer becomes so angry, the killer tries to get even.”
But as we struggle to understand paddock's motives, Levin said it’s likely we may never know for sure.
“Many mass killers don’t leave a manifesto or a statement. Actually, his statement was in his body count,” Levin said.
He added another motivating factor may have been finances. There have bene reports Paddock was a high roller, gambling as much as $20,000 a day.
Levin also said he would be shocked to learn that paddock had a political motivation. So far, no note or manifesto to suggest that has been found.
ONLY ON BOSTON 25 NEWS: Exclusive photos of Las Vegas shooter's guns
Slideshow | What is a bump stock?
LATEST | How to help | Photos | Eyewitness videos
What is Route 91 Harvest Festival? A look at scene before bloodshed
President Trump reaction | Who is Stephen Paddock?
Brother of suspected Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock: 'We're dumbstruck'
Worst mass shootings in US history | Definitions of 'mass shooting' can vary
What to do if you are in an 'active shooter' situation
Cox Media Group
