At least 59 people have been killed with more than 450 injured by a 64-year-old white American, Stephen Paddock who went on a shooting spree in Las Vegas, USA. After undergoing the assault, he was found to have committed suicide by shooting himself. His home and hotel were found to have more than 40 firearms.
Yet, after all this, he is still not being labelled as a terrorist, rather as it has been the case for many similar massacres where it’s a white man who is not a Muslim, it’s noted as a lone wolf attack, a mentally sick killer or simply just pure evil.
Famous figures and other social media users, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, took upon themselves to expose the double standards and hypocrisy of the mass mainstream media and government figures, most notably Donald Trump, at how this event is being treated compared to when the killer is ‘found’ to be a Muslim.
If the shooter was Muslim, we'd call this a terrorist attack.
This was a terrorist attack, committed by a 64-year-old white American. #vegas— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 2, 2017
Islam doesn't kill people.
People kill people. pic.twitter.com/AtNVBwye6u
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 2, 2017
So the Las Vegas shooter is dead. Is the media going to paint him as a fake mentally ill & misunderstood Caucasian like they did Dylan Roof or will they finally label this scum bag as a terrorist. Or are you guys going to somehow find a way to blame the Muslim community?
— YUNG HOT EBONY🌹🌹🌹 (@DIIJAHHHH) October 2, 2017
The #lasvegas shooter lived a "quiet life" & enjoyed "country music". Can you imagine a Muslim shooter being so quickly humanized like this?
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) October 2, 2017
It matters to say Stephen Paddock was white and that he was a terrorist.
This was a terrorist attack by a white male.
We are more likely to be killed by white men w/ guns in this country than foreign terrorists who claim to be Muslim.
Why is there no ban on them?#LasVegas
— Charles Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) October 2, 2017
The Las Vegas shooting at Mandalay Bay is a terrorist attack. The terrorist was not Muslim but an American. #GunControlNow
— Jacob Gil (@jacob4kids) October 2, 2017
As a Brit I'm amazed (but shouldn't be) that the murders in Las Vegas are not being called terrorism. Is it only terrorism if your Muslim?
— KJLatrobe (@bagpussfoster) October 2, 2017
It's terrifying how certain areas of Twitter are desperately trying to find some, or ANY kind of muslim connection for Las Vegas. Sickening.
— Tony Lee (@mrtonylee) October 2, 2017
Muslim kills, its Terrorism! When a non Muslim kills its just a Mass Killing. Disgusting approach by western media. Prayers for #LasVegas
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) October 3, 2017
Waking up to horrific mass murder in Las Vegas-police say "no ties to terrorism." Just bc shooter wasn't Muslim doesn't mean not terrorism
— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@Deanofcomedy) October 2, 2017
Donald Trump tweeting about "Muslim" terrorism in Orlando and London vs Donald Trump tweeting about "white" terrorism in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/8Btz92uIEX
— ɴᴀᴛʜᴀɴ (@animeandxans) October 2, 2017
Trump insisted we needed a racist border wall and a racist Muslim ban to stop crime and terrorism. Neither would have stopped or mitigated the Las Vegas terrorist shooting. But Hillary's gun control might have.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) October 3, 2017
Still not a word from Trump, on Las Vegas shooting. If it had been a Muslim who did this, he would have tweeted several times by now
— DIANA LYNN BLOKZYL (@NANDEE218) October 2, 2017
Every innocent life killed in such a manner should never be accepted regardless of it being in USA, Syria, UK or Yemen. Terrorism is to cause terror to public which leads to bodily harm or death, this is what the Nevada law itself states. Yet, the term is only used when the killer is a Muslim.
Thoughts with those who have suffered from this tragedy and all other similar tragedies.