Police have released bodycam footage from the Las Vegas mass shooting, illustrating the panic and confusion during the attack, as officers try to figure out where the bullets are coming from. / Source: CNN
A large suite with sweeping views of the Strip, hotel room 32135 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas served as the location where Stephen Paddock carried out the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.
After checking into the $644-per-night room on the 32nd floor, Paddock opened fire on people attending the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival, killing at least 58 and injuring more than 500.
Though still early into the investigation, many people are wondering what will become of room 32135.
MGM Resorts, Mandalay Bay's parent company, has yet to release a statement detailing the suite's future but did have this to say.
"Security continues to be a top priority at all of MGM Resorts as our Security team is working tirelessly to protect the safety of our guests and facilities," spokeswoman Debra DeShong said in a statement.
"MGM Resorts has increased its level of security to add to the level of comfort and safety of our guests and employees.
"MGM Resorts works consistently with local and national law enforcement agencies to keep procedures at our resorts up to date, and are always improving and evolving. We continue that close working relationship now during the ongoing investigation into this tragic incident."
Leaked photographs from inside the hotel room used by Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock in the Mandalay Bay Hotel. Photo / Twitter
Despite no official plans, experts have speculated about what should happen to the room.
Anthony Melchiorri, host of television series Hotel Impossible told Business Insider: "From my opinion, the room disappears."
Melchiorri added that, if he were running the resort, the room would no longer be available to book and that the doors should be sealed up and never opened again.
Others suggested the suite be completely renovated, as other hotels have done when someone died in a hotel room.
Sunil Atreya, an associate professor at the College of Hospitality Management at Johnson and Wales University, said the room will likely be gutted, refurbished and renumbered, at a minimum, or transformed into something else entirely, like storage space or a boardroom.
He though it was even possible the Mandalay Bay could refurbish the entire 32nd floor.
"For people to go on - whether it be survivors, the families of the victims or employees - something has to happen so that that room does not stay as a reminder of this heinous act that took place in our country," Atreya told Yahoo News.
Regardless of what happens to the room in the future, Atreya said the broken windows in Paddock's suite needed to be repaired immediately so as not to serve as a constant reminder of the horrific attack that took place.
