Southern California police, deputies and firefighters among the wounded in Las Vegas

Multiple police officers, both on and off duty, were among those killed or injured after a gunman opened fire Sunday night at a country music festival opposite the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, officials said.

One off-duty officer from the Las Vegas area died, and two others who were on duty were wounded by gunfire, said Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo. Of the two wounded, one is stable after surgery and the other sustained minor injuries, the department said.

“It’s a devastating time,� Lombardo said.

Many off-duty police officers and deputies from Los Angeles and Orange counties, Bakersfield and other areas were attending the Las Vegas show.

A Los Angeles police officer was among those wounded, the department said early Monday.

“While that officer is expected to make a full recovery, it is still unclear who else may have been injured trying to get to safety,� the department said. “We are still in the process of attempting to contact any additional LAPD employees who may have been at the concert and have a team in Las Vegas to help coordinate that effort.�

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph M. Terrazas also announced on Twitter that two department members were injured in the attack.

One Orange County sheriff’s deputy was severely wounded by gunshots to the abdomen and thigh, according to the Assn. of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs. The wives of two deputies were also reported wounded in the attack. Bakersfield Police Officer Aaron Mundhenke was wounded in the gunfire and taken to a hospital for treatment, Bakersfield police officials said. They were all expected to survive.

“Our officers were actually attending the concert as civilians,� said Burdick, adding that the agency has accounted for every officer known to be there. “Keeping our fingers crossed that that’s good info.�

Two employees with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were struck by gunfire, the agency said. One was critically injured; the other is stable.

Ontario Police Officer Michael Gracia, 24, was among the wounded and underwent surgery Monday morning, officials said. He is listed in critical condition but is stable, said Ontario Police Sgt. Jeff Higbee.

Gracia’s wife was also hurt during the incident but her injuries were not life-threatening.

“Please keep Officer Gracia and his family and the families of all of the victims in your thoughts and prayers,� the department said in a statement.

A Torrance Fire Department employee was also shot at the event, said Fire Capt. Robert Millea. The employee was taken back to Southern California to undergo surgery, he said.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti released a statement regarding Sunday’s attack.

“The loss of life in Las Vegas is profoundly horrifying. … Our hearts are heavy today — and our thoughts are with the victims of this senseless attack, their loved ones, Mayor [Carolyn] Goodman, and all of our friends in that great city,� Garcetti said. “My prayer is that they find healing, recovery, and strength in this moment of indescribable pain.�

None of the officers was identified.

Authorities said the gunman fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel. He was identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, a resident of Mesquite, Nev. He was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a SWAT team burst into the hotel room from where he was firing at the crowd, authorities said.

The shooting left at least 58 people dead and at least 515 injured, according to officials.

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UPDATES:

2:30 p.m.: This article was updated with information about a wounded Torrance Fire Department employee.

10:20 a.m.: This article was updated with information about a wounded Ontario police officer.

9:45 a.m.: This article was updated with information that two Los Angeles Fire Department members were wounded.

7:20 a.m.: This article was updated with information that an LAPD officer was wounded.

5:25 a.m.: This article was updated with information that two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department employees were wounded.

4:50 a.m.: This article was updated with information that two wounded officers were on duty at the time of the attack.

4:20 a.m.: This article was updated with new information about officers who were killed or injured.

This article was originally published at 2:55 a.m.