Las Vegas gunman booked Chicago hotel; city steps up security for big events

Chicago
Chicago plans to boost security for several large events in the wake of the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy Pixabay)

By Illinois Radio Network

CHICAGO – The Las Vegas gunman scoped out the Lolapalooza music festival in Chicago, but never showed up.

The Chicago Tribune reports Stephen Paddock, who shot and killed 58 concert goers in Nevada and wounded hundreds more before committing suicide Sunday, reserved a room at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago that overlooked the four-day event, but the hotel said Paddock never stayed in the room.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the city will step up security for this weekend’s Chicago Marathon, Cubs playoffs games and Bears home games.

“This is what the city of Chicago does,” Emanuel said. “We are the city of big shoulders. We put on big events, we host them and people enjoy them.”

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