What We Should Know

 
    There are things about the Las Vegas shootings that just seem off-kilter to me, although I can't imagine what about this could be remotely normal or understandable.
     One thing I heard today bears repeating often until it sinks in:  It is not too soon to seek solutions to gun violence.  It is too late.  But that doesn't mean there are not things we can know and should know if for no other reason than to tamp down speculation which is already becoming rampant.
    What is the timeline of these events from the first shots to the discovery of  Stephen Craig Paddock's body?  I do think it's telling that he has acquired the notoriety of being known with his middle name.
    How many shots were fired from how many different weapons?  Is there a way to determine in what order the weapons were used?
    How long had the guy been dead when the Vegas cops got to him?  Did the cops hear the shot that killed him? Was a gunshot from one of his weapons his manner of death?  If so, which weapon?
    How many and what type of weapons did he have and how much ammunition for each?  Where did these weapons come from?
    How was it that his live-in companion didn't know he had these weapons?  How did he manage to get such an arsenal into the hotel?
    It has been said he broke out windows on the 32nd floor.  How soon did building security know these windows had been broken?  In a building of that type there surely has to be a program that reports such an occurrence.  How long did it take them to respond?
    I mention these things because this is going to be discussed and speculated upon for some time.  I think timely answers to these questions will keep unwarranted speculation to a minimum.
    If the wave of comments on social media are any indication this has a potential of becoming a cottage industry of sorts.  The multiple tie ins to current political debate is too tempting. We already have, race, gun issues, emerging issues of wealth.  This could get really ugly and timely answers to basic questions are very important. I can't imagine these aren't questions that would occur to any good journalist but so far, and it is awfully early, there aren't many answers.