One of the world’s top forensic scientists based in Connecticut offered insight into the complex investigation into the mass shooting on the Las Vegas strip.
While a motive still hasn’t been determined, Dr. Henry Lee explained the steps investigators are taking to figure it out at a news conference Thursday at the University of New Haven.
"Why he picked that location must have a reason," Lee said.
Many mass shooters share a common trait, Lee said.
"Most of them are a loner, they feel their life is failing, falling apart," he said.
Twelve days later, Las Vegas law enforcement still do not know why a lone gunman armed with an arsenal of weapons opened fire on the country music festival from a suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
"Many mass killer or serial killer, they want to go with a bang," Lee said. "So whether or not that’s a motive, I think investigators should look into."
Investigators are looking into other possible reasons for the shooting such as psychological disorder or a gambling debt, Lee explained.
"That room whether or not that’s a high roller floor,” he said, “that’s important, too," the doctor said.
A crucial part of the investigation is to revie any security camera footage from inside Mandalay Bay, Lee said.
"Look at how those weapons was transferred and whether or not he had accomplice and how long he’d been in that hotel," Lee said. "How many times he’d been in that hotel."
In developing a profile of the shooter, Lee said investigators will look into his financial history and final communications.
"Check the credit card, check the income and his financial situation and his computer of course cell phones," he said. "What’s the last message he sent out, what’s the content of this message."
Lee founded the Institute for Forensic Science at UNH. He’s also the former director of the Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Lab.
