An unarmed security guard has been hailed as a hero after he was the first on the scene to approach Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock.

Jesus Campos was likely just carrying a baton when he approached the suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel from where 64-year-old shooter Paddock was unloading bullets onto crowds at a festival below.

Mr Campos tried to open the door but it was barricaded and Paddock had also seen him coming, swiftly firing through the door and hitting Mr Campos in the leg, Dave Hickey, president of the International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America told the Daily Beast.

But despite his injuries, Mr Campos was able to radio police and share the shooter's location.

"We received information via their dispatch centre…that helped us locate where this individual was sequestered," Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said.

After informing police, Mr Campos remained in the vicinity, helping to evacuate rooms on the same floor before being ordered to leave himself.

"I think we need to recognise the position that these officers hold,” Mr Hickey said. "Security professionals in those kind of venues—whether it’s a bank or a hotel or Disney World—I’m telling you that I don’t think that our officers are recognised enough for the valuable role that they play in protecting property, people and even the nation."

Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Las Vegas shooting – in pictures People scramble for shelter at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after gun fire was heard Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures People carry a person at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after shots were fired David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after gun fire was heard David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures A handout photo released via Twitter by Eiki Hrafnsson (@EirikurH) showing concertgoers running away from the scene (C) after shots range out at the Route 91 Harvest festival on Las Vegas Boulevard EPA/Eiki Hrafnsson Las Vegas shooting – in pictures People lie on the ground at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after hearing gun fire Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures A man in a wheelchair is taken away from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after hearing gun fire David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures People stand on the street outside the Mandalay Bay hotel near the scene of the Route 91 Harvest festival on Las Vegas Boulevard EPA/Paul Buck Las Vegas shooting – in pictures FBI agents confer in front of the Tropicana hotel-casino after a mass shooting during a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Las Vegas police run by a banner on the fence at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival grounds after shots were fired David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures An injured person is tended to in the intersection of Tropicana Ave. and Las Vegas Boulevard after a mass shooting at a country music festival Ethan Miller/Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Metro Police officers pass by the front of the Tropicana hotel-casino after a mass shooting at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus Las Vegas shooting – in pictures A woman sits on a curb at the scene of a shooting outside of a music festival along the Las Vegas Strip AP/John Locher Las Vegas shooting – in pictures A cowboy hat lays in the street after shots were fired near a country music festival in Las Vegas Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Las Vegas Metro Police and medical workers stage in the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard South after a mass shooting at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Sheriff Joe Lombardo (2-R) speaking during a press briefing in the aftermath of the active shooter incident on Las Vegas Boulevard EPA

Mr Hickey said Mr Campos received a bullet to his right leg and will be operated on in due course.

Officials are still trying to piece together the motive to Sunday's attack which saw 58 people killed and 489 injured.

Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said Stephen Paddock rented a room through Airbnb at the Ogden hotel in downtown Las Vegas weeks before the attack when another music festival was playing.