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As you’ve no doubt heard by now, the deadliest mass shooting in American history occurred in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

The death toll now stands at 59, with hundreds more injured in the attack.

Gunman Stephen Paddock took his own life before police reached his room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, which means questions about his methods and motives will likely remain unanswered.

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But while certain mysteries about Paddock and his crimes will never be solved, police investigations have unearthed several illuminating details about the 64-year-old professional gambler in the days since his terrifying attack on innocent concertgoers.

Certain details are being kept from the public in order to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, but authorities have conducted multiple press briefings and their descriptions of Paddock paint a chilling portrait of a madman obsessed with taking lives.

"Stephen Paddock is a man who spent decades acquiring weapons and ammo and lived a secret life, much of which will never be fully understood," said Las Vegas County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo in yesterday’s briefing.

Lombardo added that while friends and neighbors saw Paddock as a gregarious high-roller who enjoyed living the good life, he had in fact spent several years of his life plotting a massive terrorist attack.

Vegas Shooting
(Getty Images)

According to Lombardo, Paddock "meticulously planned the worst domestic attack in United States history" over the course of several decades.

The Nevada resident reportedly stockpiled ammunition and weapons with an eye toward killing a large number of people.

Lombardo also confirmed a number of details about Paddock’s intentions that had previously been reported by various media outlets.

For starters, while Paddock eventually took his own life, it seems he had concocted an elaborate escape plan to evade police.

Lombardo did not go into detail on the escape strategy, but stated that Paddock planned to flee the scene the scene with help from an accomplice.

Las Vegas Shooting Picture
(Getty Images)

The sheriff adds that Paddock "would have had to be a superhero" to pull off his ludicrous escape.

Lombardo also confirms that Paddock had initially plotted to carry out his attack at the Life is Beautiful Festival, headlined by Lorde and Chance the Rapper back on September 22.

It is not clear why he changed to a different venue and event.

Lombardo concluded by saying there is little more he can say at this time, but that more information would be revealed at the appropriate time.

We’ll have further updates on this developing story as more details become available.