ISIS claims that Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock was one of its ‘soldiers’ could be true, expert claims
New York Times reporter Rukmini Callimachi, who covers fanantics, says that ISIS have rarely claimed attacks that were not by either sympathisers or members
ISIS claims that Las Vegas massacre gunman Stephen Paddock was one of its “soldiers” could be true, says an expert.
The respected source suggested last night the killer could have been secretly radicalised six months ago.
The terror network has repeated its initial sinister boast that Paddock, who murdered 58 and wounded 489 more at a country music festival on Sunday, was acting on its behalf.
US authorities and his friends and family have so far found nothing to back it.
But Rukmini Callimachi, a reporter with the New York Times who covers the fanatics for the influential newspaper, said IS’s claim carried weight.
She tweeted: “ISIS has rarely claimed attacks that were not by either their members or sympathisers.
“I don’t buy the argument that they are now opportunistically claiming attacks to deflect from battlefield losses.”
She showed ISIS newsletter Naba’s image of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, from where Paddock opened fire, covered in blood.
The newsletter indicated that Paddock had converted to ISIS six months ago.
Callimachi added: “ISIS considers an attack to be their handiwork if the attacker is sent or inspired by them.”
Respected terror monitor SITE Intel Group says IS has “a lot to lose” if it is caught lying about the Vegas massacre.
Director Rita Katz said: “ISIS knows that respected journalists, analysts, and government officials — with necessary degrees of scepticism and caution — take its attack claims seriously.
“However, any definitive proof that Paddock had no connection to ISIS would be a severe fracture to how seriously the group’s statements are taken in future.”
More than 100 investigators are building a profile of Paddock but have yet to uncover why the multi-millionaire gambler, 64, unleashed carnage. Twice-married but childless, reclusive Paddock shared a cul-de-sac bungalow with girlfriend Marilou Danley in desert town Mesquite, 82 miles from Vegas.
Like many who came into contact with the killer, gun shop boss Christopher Sullivan had never noticed any bottled-up aggression. He insisted: “At some point, he snapped. What made him snap?”
A petrol station cashier said Mesquite was awash with rumours he was devastated because Marilou, 62, had left him.
She was abroad at the time of the shootings but on her return said: “I loved him and hoped for a quiet future together.”
Paddock’s bank robber dad was once labelled psychopathic, a trait which can be inherited. Neuroscience expert Prof David Eagleman said the killer may have suffered from “acquired psychopathy”, with a typical onset in a person’s late 50s.
Paddock went on a year-long gun-buying spree before the killings — 33 of his 47 weapons were bought since October 2016.
His girl's guilt
By James Beal, US Editor
A FORMER friend says Stephen Paddock used prostitutes and made his girlfriend “nervous and jittery”.
Adam Le Fevre used to date the sister of Paddock’s girlfriend Marilou Danley.
The Australian businessman said the couple’s relationship was “not loving or caring” and that Paddock, 64, was condescending towards Miss Danley, 62.
Referring to claims casinos in Las Vegas offered prostitutes to the gunman, Mr Le Fevre said: “I have no questions that some of those offers had been accepted, yes.” Pals in the Philippines say Miss Danley is racked with guilt over the massacre.
She has told the FBI that Paddock was suffering mental health issues and that he screamed in bed at night.
Marilou’s pal Nonie Bayona, 53, said: “Anyone living with a man with so many guns, who was losing his mind, would regret not raising the alarm after so many lives were lost. She said she had no clue what he was planning and I believe her.”
