Dozens killed, hundreds hurt during Vegas shooting

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Flags at city facilities in San Diego were lowered to half-staff today in honor of the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, while area lawmakers offered their thoughts and prayers via social media.

The death toll had risen to 59 by Monday afternoon, with more than 500 hurt at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival on Sunday night.

"The horror in Las Vegas strikes close to home for many in SD. We pray for the victims & their families. SD stands with LV!'' San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer posted on his Twitter account.

The mayor ordered that flags in San Diego be flown at half-staff. The City Council opened its meeting with a moment of silence.

Council President Myrtle Cole wrote, "My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and loved ones of those affected by the Las Vegas mass shooting.''

Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, sent out a pair of tweets.

"Horrified to wake up to the news out of Las Vegas. Praying for the victims of this senseless violence, their families and all those injured,'' the congressman wrote.

In the second, he said, "But prayers alone are not enough. I also pray that this act of domestic terror will spur this Congress to act. Enough.''

His Republican colleague, Darrell Issa of Vista, wrote, "Horrific news out of Las Vegas this morning. Praying for victims, their families, first responders and all those affected. We are with you.''

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, tweeted: "I'll never understand why anyone needs the individual right to own an automatic or semi-automatic weapon. Totally, completely senseless.''

Jason Aldean was performing at the outdoor festival when the shooter, identified by Las Vegas police as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nevada, began firing from a 32nd-floor room at the nearby Mandalay Bay hotel.

Aldean is scheduled to take the stage Saturday at the Mattress Firm Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, but it was unclear whether the show would take place in light of the Vegas tragedy.

Also Saturday, San Diego State's football team is set to play at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. There was no immediate indication that the game wouldn't take place as schedule, and UNLV's campus was open as normal.

Five SDSU football players are from the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

"It breaks my heart to see my home go through something like this PrayForLasVegas 702strong,'' wide receiver Isiah Macklin said on Twitter.

Defensive end Noble Hall wrote that he "can't believe that happened ... pray for the city man ... .''

Eight players on the UNLV roster hail from San Diego County, a ninth player, Brandon Presley, is from Temecula and graduated from Great Oak High School.

The Padres also tweeted their thoughts on the baseball team's official account: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families affected by the terrible tragedy in Las Vegas.''

A spokeswoman for the San Diego Blood Bank told City News Service that they are monitoring the situation via a national network but have not been asked to supply blood to Las Vegas medical facilities.

Disaster mental health and spiritual care volunteers with the San Diego and Imperial counties chapter of the American Red Cross are on standby in case they're called to help at a family assistance center.