Las Vegas Shooter Booked Hotel Rooms Across From Lollapalooza: Report

CHICAGO, IL — The gunman who went on a mass shooting spree that killed 59 people in Las Vegas over the weekend had booked rooms overlooking this year's Lollapalooza at Grant Park, according to TMZ. Stephen Paddock made a reservation for one room at the Blackstone Hotel for Aug. 1 and booked another room for Aug. 3, the start of the four-day music festival, the report stated. Both reservations were until Aug. 6, the final day of the event, the report added.

In a statement Thursday morning, Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi acknowledged the report, but he would not confirm whether Paddock had been booked at the Blackstone.

Sheriff: Vegas Shooter Led A 'Secret Life'

"We are aware of recent media reports and have been in communication with our federal partners," Guglielmi said in a release posted online. "As you saw earlier this week the city conducts extensive public safety planning and training around major events, in close coordination with our law enforcement partners, to ensure public safety." (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the Blackstone Hotel confirmed a reservation was made in Steven Paddock's name but that no one under that name stayed at the hotel during Lollapalooza, according to Fox News. The hotel also said police had not determined if the Steven Paddock who made the reservation was the gunman in the Las Vegas shooting.

The TMZ report did not indicate what floor of the hotel the reservations were on. Around 400,000 people attended Lollapalooza this year, including former President Barack Obama's daughter, Malia.

More Patch Coverage

Las Vegas Shooting: Gunman Led A Secret Life, Timeline Of Attack Revealed: Stephen Paddock specifically asked for a room overlooking the country music concert.

Las Vegas Gunman's Dad Claimed He Played For Chicago Bears: Benjamin Paddock lived in Chicago as a teen in the 1940s, and he started his criminal career in the city.

Chance The Rapper Concert Might Have Been Las Vegas Shooter's Original Target: Stephen Paddock had rented several condos overlooking an earlier three-day music festival in Las Vegas, the Daily Beast reports.

Earlier this week, the Daily Beast reported that Paddock had rented several condos overlooking the Life Is Beautiful music festival in Las Vegas the weekend before Sunday's shooting. Chance the Rapper, who was a headliner at this year's Lollapalooza, also performed at that event.

More via TMZ

Fans watch Charli XCX during the final day of Lollapalooza 2017 in Grant Park on Aug 6. (Photo by Rob Grabowski | Invision | Associated Press)

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