Sunday night's shootings in Las Vegas are part of America's "new normal," former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said Monday, as the pace of such events has been increasing.
"In policing we have talked about and now in private security over the years why we don't have more of these with the sheer availability of incredibly weaponry in this country," Bratton told MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle. "With the number of people who are either emotionally disturbed or have grievances, it is so easy to do. This is one of many scenarios that could happen in any city at any time."
Social media is helping to identify people who may carry out violent attacks, but with Sunday night's shooting, there is a lot to learn.
"There were 20,000 stories, 20,000 people in that stadium, in that stadium in terms of personal stories, but this one is just horrific in terms of personal stories," Bratton said. "This one is just horrific in its scale and scope, and we're all dealing with the aftereffects of it. Why did it happen? Why does it keep happening?"
Country music star Jason Aldean was performing Sunday night at the end of the three-day Route 91 Harvest Festival in front of a crowd of more than 22,000 when a gunman opened fire from inside the 32nd floor Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino across the street.
The gunman was identified as Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada. He had checked into the hotel room on Thursday, authorities said. Police said he was a retiree with no criminal record in the Nevada County where he lived. Paddock reportedly committed suicide as law enforcement officials stormed his hotel room on the 32nd floor.
At least 58 people were killed in the attack, and more than 500 people were injured.
Meanwhile, Bratton said there are many guns out among the public, and in 80 percent of the cases of shootings that have happened, people with mental health issues have been involved.
"Quite clearly, we have an issue in this country," he said.
The former commissioner also praised the heroism shown by the first responders at the scene, considering the police officers were carrying weapons that could not be used to shoot back at Paddock.
"Just think those seven, eight, nine officers getting ready to go through the door not knowing what was on the other side and in they went," said Bratton.
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