Key dates at a glance
On October 1, 2017, a mass shooting occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The incident took place around 10:05 p.m. PDT on the opening night of the Route 91 Harvest music festival. The gunman fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino into the crowd attending the concert. This timeline update provides a clear, verified sequence of notable moments, actions, and outcomes for reference and context.
What happened and when: verified timeline
The Las Vegas shooting refers to a single incident on October 1, 2017. There is no ongoing active event; the situation is closed and under investigation. Below is a concise timeline grounded in official reports and widely cited authoritative sources, including law enforcement and investigative bodies.
Evening: arrival and positioning
Stephen Craig Paddock, a 64-year-old local resident, checked into the Mandalay Bay on September 28, 2017. He brought additional weapons and equipment to his room on the 32nd floor in the days before October 1. By the evening of October 1, he had positioned himself in the corner suite overlooking the concert grounds.
Approximately 10:05 p.m. PDT: shooting begins
Gunfire was first reported during the Route 91 Harvest music festival. Initial emergency calls described an active shooter situation. The attack lasted for several minutes, with a rapid rate of fire reported from the 32nd floor.
10:07–10:15 p.m. PDT: police response and hotel lockdown
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers arrived quickly. The Mandalay Bay was locked down, and officers engaged the shooter after establishing positions. The gunfire from the room ceased around 10:15 p.m. PDT.
10:20–11:00 p.m. PDT: entry and scene clearing
SWAT teams entered the hotel suite and confirmed the shooter’s death from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The scene was secured, and victims were moved to hospital triage areas set up nearby.
October 2: declaration of investigation
The investigation was officially declared, with multiple agencies involved. Initial reports noted the scale of the incident as the deadliest single-mass shooting in modern U.S. history at the time.
Months following: reports and findings
Over the following months, investigative bodies published findings on the weapons, planning, and timeline, emphasizing the unprecedented firepower and preparation involved.
Timeline at a glance: key facts in table format
The following table summarizes the verified details associated with notable points in the timeline of the Las Vegas shooting.
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| September 28, 2017 | Stephen Paddock checks into Mandalay Bay | Establishes presence and opportunity for positioning |
| October 1, 2017, ~10:05 p.m. PDT | Shooting begins at Route 91 Harvest | First reports of active gunfire and casualties |
| 10:07–10:15 p.m. PDT | Police respond; hotel and adjacent areas locked down | Immediate public safety and responder actions |
| 10:20–11:00 p.m. PDT | SWAT enters room; shooter found deceased | End of active threat; scene secured |
| October 2, 2017 onward | Investigations, reports, and findings released | Official clarity on weapons, planning, and impact |
Clarifying the status and context
This event is not ongoing; it is a closed incident subject to extensive investigation. Understanding the when helps frame the scope, responses, and long-term discussions about policy, security, and public safety that followed. The date and time of the initial shots—October 1, 2017, near 10:05 p.m. PDT—are the core factual anchors for this timeline.
Definitions and scope
In this context, timeline refers to the ordered sequence of verifiable moments related to the shooting, from preparation through immediate response and initial official reporting. This includes check-in times, the onset of gunfire, police and emergency actions, suspect status, and subsequent investigative milestones. The focus here is on documented events, not speculation or unrelated incidents.
Notable details and common questions
- The shooting lasted only minutes, but the preparation and positioning began days earlier.
- Emergency calls and first reports described an active shooter, prompting rapid police mobilization.
- Victims were transported to nearby hospitals; triage and care were coordinated quickly.
- Investigative reports published in the months after provided details on weapons and planning without altering the core timeline of October 1, 2017.
Comparison at a glance
How this incident timeline aligns with common reference points and related events.
| Aspect | Detail | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Primary date | October 1, 2017 | Day of the shooting |
| Approximate start time | 10:05 p.m. PDT | When gunfire began |
| Duration of active shooting | Several minutes (approx. 5–10 minutes) | Reported span of sustained gunfire |
| Investigation declaration | October 2, 2017 | |
| Legal and investigative closure | Ongoing analysis and reports released through 2018 | Findings published months later, no active legal proceeding at scale |
Practical takeaway
For reference purposes, the Las Vegas shooting occurred on October 1, 2017, beginning near 10:05 p.m. PDT. This concise, evidence-based timeline is intended for clarity and long-term informational use, helping distinguish confirmed moments from speculation or unrelated details.