Las Vegas shooting: Shropshire Star journalist describes 'eerie' scenes in city - with video
At least 59 people were killed and 527 injured in the worst US shooting in recent history
'It's a very eerie atmosphere, it's a strange feeling'.
Shropshire Star and Express & Star journalist Nathan Judah has today described the scene in Las Vegas in the aftermath of the chilling massacre.
At least 59 people have been killed and up to 527 injured after 64-year-old gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire.
The mass shooting happened from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, at around 10.30pm local time on Monday.
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The attack is the worst mass shooting in recent US history.
Nathan, who is the Shropshire Star's digital sports editor, was leaving the MGM Grand Las Vegas after a meal when he heard a commotion from outside on the Strip.
He said one day on from the slaughter, the atmosphere in the Nevadan city is strange – far from the usual hustle and bustle.
Express & Star's Nathan Judah reports from Las Vegas
Nathan said: "There are very few people around.
"We didn't get much sleep at all after what happened – we finally got to sleep around 4.30am but were up again around 7am.
"By that time the death toll had risen considerably.
"With the hotel being in lockdown we weren't too sure what was going on downstairs.
"We just wanted to stay in our room.
"My wife has got a lot of friends who work on the Strip so we've been contacting them to check that they were okay.
"This afternoon we left and got off the strip entirely for five or six hours to go and see them.
"It's a very eerie atmosphere, there are very few people around.
"Part of the Strip by the Mandalay Bay is still cordoned off.
"You can see a few people kicking around – but normally the streets are packed at this time of year.
"People are staying in and keeping safe.
"It's eerie, it's a strange feeling. We're thankful we're okay but then people are dead.
"There's extra police around, with a few more in the lobby of our hotel.
"In terms of security there's a definite increase.
"There's still helicopters flying overhead and police cars at the top and bottom of the Strip, as well as camera crews as well.
"I'm sure the security will be ramping up rather than slowing down with the President visiting.
"The blood banks are full up, so we might try and do that tomorrow.
"We're just going to keep our heads down until we leave."
Nathan Judah speaks to Radio WM's Alex Lester from Las Vegas on the atmosphere in the city.
Nathan said he will not let the incident cloud his memories of the city.
He is flying out tomorrow to attend a wedding and appeared on This Morning earlier today.
Nathan said: "When I lived in San Diego for three years I was over in Vegas pretty much every other weekend and I've had a lot of fun times here.
"You can't really let these people win.
"This could happen anywhere, it's a horrendous situation.
"We thought about leaving before our flight on Wednesday, but the backlog of people is massive so we're going to hang around then get out as quick as possible.
"It's not easy but we've got to get on with it.
"Then we're going to Seattle for a few days for a wedding before we come back to England."
