Update: police have identified the gunman as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock

The gunman who opened fire at a music festival next to Mandalay Bay casino in Las Vegas was a local man, police have said.

They said they knew the identity of the suspect, who they shot dead, but would not yet name him.

According to unverified reports by NBC news, the suspect was 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, of Mesquite, Nevada.

At least 50 were killed and more than 200 injured at the country music event.

A police hunt was underway for a 62-year-old female companion of the shooter called Marilou Danley, who officials said lived with him.

They said she was around 4"11 (125cm), weighed 111 pounds (50kg) and was of Asian appearance.

Yet Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told a news conference the shooter was a "lone wolf type".

"Right now we believe he is the sole aggressor at this point and the scene is static," he said.

Authorities do not believe the gunman was connected to any militant groups and the motives of the shooter are unknown.

The suspect was believed to have been shooting down at crowds of concert-goers from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel.

Witnesses described seeing flashes of light high up in the tower.

Footage shows sounds of gunfire at Las Vegas concert

A Swot team used a controlled explosion to enter the hotel room, where the shot the suspect dead.