The nation awoke Monday to the numbing news that the worst mass shooting in modern American history had ravaged the Las Vegas Strip. It was a deadly ambush in a city built as an open invitation to the world.

Rachel Crosby discusses what she saw during the Las Vegas Strip shooting, from the first-responders to the scenes at hospitals.

The Las Vegas Village festival grounds on the Las Vegas Strip Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, after a gunman opened fire killing more than 50 people and injuring more than 500 Sunday night. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @VegasPhotograph

Las Vegas police and emergency vehicles on scene following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Stephen Paddock

A broken Mandalay Bay window Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, after a Strip shooting left 58 dead and over 518 injured in Las Vegas Sunday night. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @VegasPhotograph

Windows from Mandalay Bay are broken after a shooting occurred leaving at least 50 dead and 200 injured in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto

Windows from Mandalay Bay are broken after a shooting occurred leaving 50 dead and over 400 injured in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto

Las Vegas police gather following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

The Clark County Coroner arrives as Las Vegas police investigate following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Las Vegas police patrol in a convention center area during lockdown at the Tropicana Las Vegas following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

A police officer directs people at the Tropicana Las Vegas following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

A cowboy hat is left behind as people make their way out of Tropicana Las Vegas following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Las Vegas police investigate following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Festival grounds for Route 91 rise in the background as Las Vegas police investigate following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Emergency vehicles head down Las Vegas Boulevard following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People relax in a convention center area during lockdown at the Tropicana Las Vegas following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Cars left on Las Vegas Boulevard following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People relax in a convention center area during lockdown at the Tropicana Las Vegas following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Tourists make their way back to their hotels following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Tourists make their way back to their hotels following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People clap after being updated by a Las Vegas police officer during lockdown at the Tropicana Las Vegas following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Las Vegas police gather following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

A man takes in the scene following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Festival grounds for Route 91 rise in the background as Las Vegas police investigate following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Festival grounds for Route 91 rise in the background as Las Vegas police investigate following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

A view looking down Las Vega Boulevard following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Las Vegas police investigate following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Aaron C. Rouse, special agent in charge for the FBI in Nevada, discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

U.S. Rep. Ruben Kihuen, D-Nev., discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, from left, Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, and U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., during a press conference on the mass shooting, at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Gov. Brian Sandoval, left, and Clark County County Sheriff Joe Lombardo during a press conference on the mass shooting, at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Gov. Brian Sandoval, center, with other state dignitaries, discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Gov. Brian Sandoval, center, with other state dignitaries, discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Gov. Brian Sandoval pauses as he discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo discusses the mass shooting during a press conference at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

U.S. Rep. Ruben Kihuen, D-Nev., left, and Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak following a press conference on the mass shooting, at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Kathy Boggio-Mocnik of Aliso Viejo, Calif., returns to Mandalay Bay hotel-casino on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 where at least 58 people were killed and more than 400 others were injured when a gunman opened fire on an outdoor country music concert late Sunday. Boggio-Mocnik attended the concert and witnessed the fatal shooting. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Kathy Boggio-Mocnik, left, and her husband, Gary Mocnik, both of Aliso Viejo, Calif., return to Mandalay Bay hotel-casino on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 where at least 58 people were killed and more than 400 others were injured when a gunman opened fire on an outdoor country music concert late Sunday. The couple attended the concert and witnessed the fatal shooting. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Kathy Boggio-Mocnik and her husband Gary, both of Aliso Viejo, Calif., return to Mandalay Bay hotel-casino on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 where at least 58 people were killed and more than 400 others were injured when a gunman opened fire on an outdoor country music concert late Sunday. Mocnik attended the concert and witnessed the fatal shooting. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Kathy Boggio-Mocnik and her husband Gary, both of Aliso Viejo, Calif., talk to a Metro police officer as they return to Mandalay Bay hotel-casino on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 where at least 58 people were killed and more than 400 others were injured when a gunman opened fire on an outdoor country music concert late Sunday. Mocnik attended the concert and witnessed the fatal shooting. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Hotel guests, including Kathy Boggio-Mocnik and her husband Gary, second left, both of Aliso Viejo, Calif., talk to a Metro police officer as they return to Mandalay Bay hotel-casino on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 where at least 58 people were killed and more than 400 others were injured when a gunman opened fire on an outdoor country music concert late Sunday. Mocnik attended the concert and witnessed the fatal shooting. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Las Vegas Strip blocked off due to police activity on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, near Mandalay Bay hotel-casino where at least 58 people were killed and more than 400 others were injured when a gunman opened fire on an outdoor country music concert late Sunday. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Two broken windows on the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, after a Strip shooting left 58 dead and over 518 injured in Las Vegas Sunday night. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @VegasPhotograph

An American Airways plane flies over TV satellite trucks near McCarran International Airport on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

An American Airways plane flies over TV satellite trucks near McCarran International Airport on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Moises Flores with UNLV facility operations raises a new American flag to half-staff at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, after a gunman opened fire on the Strip Sunday night, killing 58. Elizabeth Brumley Las Vegas Review-Journal @EliPagePhoto

People evacuate to the Luxor after a shooting, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. Chitose Suzuki Las Vegas Review-Journal

Police officers walk through the Luxor where people have been evacuated after a shooting on the Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. Chitose Suzuki Las Vegas Review-Journal

Luxor staff members bring bread to the evacuees after a shooting, Monday Oct. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. People have been evacuated in the basement at the Luxor. Chitose Suzuki Las Vegas Review-Journal

A Luxor staff member brings blankets to the evacuees at the baseman of the Luxor after a shooting, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. Chitose Suzuki Las Vegas Review-Journal

People evacuate to the Luxor after a shooting, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. Chitose Suzuki Las Vegas Review-Journal

People evacuate to the Luxor after a shooting, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. Chitose Suzuki Las Vegas Review-Journal

People evacuate to the Luxor after a shooting, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. Chitose Suzuki Las Vegas Review-Journal

Medics treat the wounded as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Medics treat the wounded as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Medics treat the wounded as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

A body is loaded into an ambulance by emergency workers as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People assist a wounded woman at the Tropicana Las Vegas during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People assist a wounded woman at the Tropicana Las Vegas during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People wait in employee hallways as the Tropicana Las Vegas goes on lockdown during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People in the casino area as the Tropicana Las Vegas goes on lockdown during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People in the casino area as the Tropicana Las Vegas goes on lockdown during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People wait out a lockdown in a convention center area at the Tropicana Las Vegas following an active shooter situation that left 50 dead and over 200 injured on the Las Vegas Strip during the early hours of Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Jon Dimaya, nurse at Sunrise Hospital, holds a sign that reads "We are Las Vegas, We are Strong, We are Battle Born'' on Las Vegas Boulevard near Mandalay Bay hotel-casino on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. At least 58 people were killed and more than 400 others were injured when a gunman opened fire on an outdoor country music concert late Sunday. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Jon Dimaya, nurse at Sunrise Hospital, holds a sign that reads "We are Las Vegas, We are Strong, We are Battle Born'' on Las Vegas Boulevard near Mandalay Bay hotel-casino on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. At least 58 people were killed and more than 400 others were injured when a gunman opened fire on an outdoor country music concert late Sunday. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Jon Dimaya, nurse at Sunrise Hospital, holds a sign that reads "Pray for Vegas'' on Las Vegas Boulevard near Mandalay Bay hotel-casino on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. At least 58 people were killed and more than 400 others were injured when a gunman opened fire on an outdoor country music concert late Sunday. Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Guns & Guitars in Mesquite on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, where alleged Strip gunman Stephen Paddock had been known to shop. Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal @Vegas88s

The back yard of the Sun City home of Stephen Paddock in Mesquite on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, one day after he allegedly opened fire on people at the Route 91 Harvest festival Las Vegas Strip killing 59 people and injuring over 500 people. Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal @Vegas88s

An officer leads an emergency vehicle through stopped traffic on Interstate 15 in Las Vegas after a shooting on the Strip left 58 dead Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto

View of the the Strip near Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Las Vegas police converge at the corner of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard.

Medics treat the wounded as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Medics treat the wounded as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

A wounded person is tended to as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People run from the New York New York during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

A wounded woman is moved outside of the Tropicana during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

A wounded woman is moved outside of the Tropicana during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People evacuate to the Luxor during a shooting on the Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

People evacuate to the Luxor after a shooting on the Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

People assist a wounded woman at the Tropicana during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People assist a wounded woman at the Tropicana during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Officers are present outside University Medical Center's Trauma Center on Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Bridget BennettLas Vegas Review-Journal) @Bridgetkbennett

Officers are present outside University Medical Center's Trauma Center on Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Bridget Bennett/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Bridgetkbennett

A staff member in scrubs enters the back of University Medical Center's Trauma Center on Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Bridget Bennett/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Bridgetkbennett

A wounded person is walked on a wheelbarrow as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

A man waits for an ambulance at the McCarran International Airport executive terminal after being shot during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Special to the Review-Journal)

Festival-goers attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival are patted down after being evacuated to the Thomas and Mack Arena early Monday morning, Oct. 2, 2017, following a shooting situation on the Las Vegas Strip. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Festival-goers attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival were evacuated by bus to Thomas and Mack Arena early Monday morning, Oct. 2, 2017, following a shooting situation on the Las Vegas Strip. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Festival-goers attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival were evacuated by bus to Thomas and Mack Arena early Monday morning, Oct. 2, 2017, following a shooting situation on the Las Vegas Strip. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Festival-goers attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival were evacuated to the Thomas and Mack Arena early Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, following a shooting situation on the Las Vegas Strip. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Festival-goers attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival were evacuated by bus to Thomas and Mack Arena early Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, following a shooting situation on the Las Vegas Strip. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Festival-goers attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival were evacuated to the Thomas and Mack Arena early Monday morning, Oct. 2, 2017, following a shooting situation on the Las Vegas Strip. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip near Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Pedestrians look on as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip near Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

People are searched by Las Vegas police at the Tropicana Las Vegas during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Stirp in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

A man waits as the Tropicana Las Vegas goes on lockdown during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Stirp in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

The nation awoke Monday to the numbing news that the worst mass shooting in modern American history had ravaged the Las Vegas Strip.

It was a deadly ambush in a city built as an open invitation to the world.

“I just kept thinking to myself, ‘This isn’t real. This is not happening. This is not real,’” Lisa Schau, of Sacramento, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal near the scene. “I just kept thinking that over and over. And it was.”

But the staggering carnage — at least 59 dead and 527 injured — brought out the best in Las Vegas Valley residents. They rushed to help the wounded; donated blood, supplies and money; and prayed en masse for victims and their families.

A Mesquite man perched on the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay shot through his corner suite’s windows, then sprayed bullets into a crowd of thousands at an outdoor country music festival late Sunday, just east of the hotel.

It was confusion, then chaos. Some attendees thought fireworks were ringing out just as Jason Aldean began singing the first few lines of his hit “When She Says Baby” at the Route 91 Harvest festival. But as the rapid-fire shots continued and people began falling, the crowd collectively realized the horror that was happening. And they ran.

First responders descended on the scene. Civilians did their part, too, taking truckloads of wounded to local trauma units. The injured were moved in wheelbarrows and on luggage carts, and more than 100 people were treated at University Medical Center alone.

Before the sun rose Monday, Sheriff Joe Lombardo stood in the dark parking lot of Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, steeling himself as he explained to the public and global news media that the shooter, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, had acted alone.

Shortly after, Gov. Brian Sandoval called it a “cowardly, despicable act.”

‘We’re angry’

On Monday afternoon, Sandoval declared a state of emergency and a public health and medical disaster in Clark County.

“We’re angry. We’re grieving. Confused,” the governor said. “People are hurting.”

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said the city has a broken heart, “but it has bonded us so tightly.”

VIDEO: Rapid fire from shooter(s) in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/jgzCTQRUZP — Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) October 2, 2017

“We will not be tarnished by this sick, horrible human being,” Goodman said.

About an hour after shots first rang out, officers closed in on Paddock’s room, which he checked into on Thursday, Lombardo said. In seconds, Paddock shot through the door, injuring a security guard. Then he turned the gun on himself.

Inside, police found scopes and at least 23 firearms. Later, investigators found ammonium nitrate, a chemical compound that can be used in homemade bombs, inside Paddock’s car at Mandalay Bay.

On the streets below, red-and-blue lights speckled the Strip, drowning out its famous neon. Many who escaped the venue or ran from casinos in the confusion walked aimlessly. Some dragged luggage, others still wore blood-drenched clothing, the color drained from their faces.

Anxious and weary

While University Medical Center absorbed the worst of the wounded, Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center quickly became overwhelmed, too.

About 12 hours after the ordeal began, Deserie Bohl, 35, sat in the east valley hospital’s small surgical waiting room as her husband underwent surgery. Next to her sat several others, praying and checking their phones. Some paced, looking anxious and weary. The silence was deafening.

Occasionally, a doctor or surgeon would pop in, calling out the name of a patient. Like clockwork, a swarm of loved ones would rush over, huddling to hear the news.

Robert Kyander, of San Bernardino, California, sat in limbo, his head down. His daughter, Lauren, and her boyfriend, Zach, both 21, had been at the festival all weekend. Zach was shot in the back.

Hours earlier, the 55-year-old Kyander had been at home, watching the Sunday night news when headlines about the shooting began ticking across his screen.

Panicked, he bolted to Las Vegas. Just before he left, he got a text from Zach:

“Hey this is Zach, I got shot in the back, but I made your daughter run like hell. I am truly sorry I’m not with her, but she is safe with Jodie. Love you both, I’ll keep you updated.”

When he got to the hospital, Kyander found Lauren waiting in the lobby. He wrapped her in his arms.

“I didn’t want to let go,” he said. “I’m just so glad my daughter was OK.”

Many others never experienced that relief.

Suspect’s Mesquite home

As the Las Vegas community hauled itself out of bed to help, collecting water and food for first responders and victims’ families, authorities swarmed the shooter’s Mesquite home.

Inside, they found explosives, 19 additional firearms and several thousand rounds of ammunition, the sheriff said.

Police initially asked the public to help locate Paddock’s girlfriend, Marilou Danley, whom they named as a person of interest. But before dawn, law enforcement had touched base with her and ruled her out as a suspect.

As of late Monday, Paddock’s motive remained a mystery.

As the sun began to set, hundreds of Las Vegas locals and tourists gathered at vigils throughout the valley to mourn, weep and share in their disbelief.

In front of Las Vegas City Hall, sorrowful singing grew into triumphant chants of “Hallelujah” and “Jesus.”

Silverado High School student Ethan Dimayo stood alongside his younger brothers holding a sign that read “We Are Strong, We Are Battle Born.”

“It’s really inspiring to see all these people come out and pray,” he said.

Tony Barber heard about the shooting Monday morning. He took his 5-year-old grandson to the vigil.

“It’s important to pay homage and lend support to the city as a whole,” Barber said.

In the central valley, at the International Church of Las Vegas, faith and community leaders from several different backgrounds comforted a crowd of about 150.

Many attendees sniffled between sermons and speeches from Clark County Commissioners Chris Giunchigliani and Steve Sisolak. One woman sat on the far end of a back-of-the-room bench, a stack of balled-up tissues to her right.

“I think there’s great value in being with community at these times,” said Wendy Kraft, 57, an involved member of the Jewish community. “I’m saddened to my core. … I feel so very helpless.”

Contact Rachel Crosby at rcrosby@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290. Follow @rachelacrosby on Twitter. Contact Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350. Follow @RefriedBrean on Twitter. Contact Anita Hassan at ahassan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4643. Follow @anitasnews on Twitter. Contact Jamie Munks at jmunks@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow @JamieMunksRJ on Twitter. Contact Jessie Bekker at jbekker@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4563. Follow @jessiebekks on Twitter. Review-Journal staff writers Blake Apgar, Michael Scott Davidson, Jeff German, Rio Lacanlale, Max Michor, Wade Millward, Todd Prince, Colton Lochhead and Meghin Delaney and Mike Shoro contributed to this story.