Unarmed security guard found Vegas shooter

An unarmed security guard named Jesus Campos found shooter Stephen Paddock in his 32nd-floor suite at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday night. He drew Paddock’s fire away from concertgoers before police or a SWAT team arrived, according to a report from the Daily Beast.

Dave Hickey, president of the International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America, the union that represents Campos and hundreds of other Mandalay Bay security guards, said Paddock saw Campos approaching using hidden surveillance cameras he had planted behind the peephole on his door and in the hallway, and hit Campos in the right leg after firing through the door.

Since Paddock had blocked stairwell doors leading to the hallway outside his room, Campos had to use the elevator to try and find the shooter who was firing on the crowd below. When he tried to enter Paddock’s room, Campos discovered that the door had been barricaded just before the bullets flew.

Campos, who had no firearm, radioed casino dispatch and communicated his location when he was hit. Additional security guards and police officers rushed to the scene and exchanged gunfire with Paddock. A SWAT team arrived approximately an hour after Paddock ceased firing. The team gained entry by using explosives to blow off the door and found the killer inside, dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Hickey said without the brave actions of Campos, Paddock’s rampage could have resulted in even more deaths than the 59 reported so far. A bullet remains in Campos’ leg, but will be removed during an upcoming surgery.

“We just want to make sure that Mr. Campos and all of our officers are recognized for what they do every day, which is protect people,” Hickey said.

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