Campaign raises over $1.8M for Vegas shooting victims

By Canberk Yuksel

NEW YORK (AA) - An online fundraising campaign collected more than $1.8 million Monday for the victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting -- the deadliest in U.S. history.

The effort, launched by Clark County Commission Chairman and Nevada gubernatorial candidate Steve Sisolak, attracted donations from more than 22,000 people within 10 hours.

"I'm truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of donations to the Las Vegas Victims' Fund from all over America," Sisolak wrote on Twitter.

"The ​support and love shown to the victims, their families and the Las Vegas community is inspiring."

Initially, the campaign on the online crowdfunding platform GoFundMe aimed to raise $1 million, but after approaching its initial goal in less than five hours, Sisolak raised it to $2 million, which the effort was on its way to achieving Monday night.

American football team the Oakland Raiders donated $50,000 to the campaign, saying in a statement: "The heart of the Raider Nation goes out to Las Vegas."

At least 59 people were killed and nearly 530 others wounded when Stephen Paddock opened fire on a large crowd attending a country music concert in Las Vegas from a nearby hotel high rise.