Las Vegas shooting: How you can help victims of the worst gun massacre in US history

Officials appeal for blood donations as hospitals struggle to cope with overwhelming demand

(David Becker/Getty)

As America reels from the worst gun massacre in US history, many are asking how they can help the victims of the Las Vegas shooting that left more than 50 dead and at least 500 injured.

Las Vegas police are appealing for blood donations as hospitals struggle to cope with the overwhelming demand for resources.

"If you would like to donate blood for the injured victims of the Strip shooting visit the Labor Health & Welfare Clinic, 7135 W. Sahara," the force wrote on Twitter.

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Las Vegas City Hall appealed for residents to visit the United Blood Center at 6930 W Charleston and 601 Whitney Ranch Drive in Henderson.

But officials warned donors to make an appointment to avoid waiting in long queues.

Those not in the immediate vicinity are also being encouraged to offer financial assistance.

A Go Fund Me page set up by Clark County Commission Chair Steve Sisolak "to provide relief and financial support to the victims and families of the horrific Las Vegas mass shooting​" has already reached $64,657 (£48,700).

People are also being encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross, which accepts donations on its website, by phone in the US at 702-369-3674 or via mail at 1771 East Flamingo Road, #206B, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119.

Officials are also calling for eyewitnesses to share any footage of the attack with police to help them piece together events of the devastating night.

Chaos ensued after the shooter, identified as 64-year-old Nevada resident Stephen Paddock, fired an automatic weapon from his 32nd-floor hotel room at revellers attending the Route 91 music festival on the strip below.

He was found dead in his hotel room by police who are now working to understand his motive and how he was able to orchestrate such a devastating attack.

Authorities in Las Vegas said they are not treating the mass shooting as an act of terrorism, despite Nevada state law defining terror as “any act that involves the use or attempted use of sabotage, coercion or violence which is intended to cause great bodily harm or death to the general population”.

Isis said Paddock had recently converted to Islam and claimed responsibility for the attack, a claim that could not immediately be verified.

The FBI has denied Paddock had links with any international terror organisation.