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."
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.
His comments came shortly after Paddock’s girlfriend Marilou Danley said she had no idea he was planning an attack on the Strip and was devastated for the victims.
