What Are Tracer Bullets? Vegas Shooter Bought 1000 Ahead Of Attack

Tracer ammunition was included in suspected Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock's arsenal lineup, according to reports. The tracer ammunition was discovered by an investigative team in Paddock's hotel room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

Paddock, 64, had acquired the bullets ahead of the deadly massacre at a Phoenix-area gun show. It hasn't been confirmed if tracer bullets were used during the shooting, but Paddock had purchased more than 1,000 rounds on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10, CNN reported Friday.

Tracer ammunition, which is also commonly known as tracer rounds and tracer bullets, is used to improve a shooter's accuracy in the dark. Tracer bullets enhance accuracy in dark settings by illuminating once a round is fired. This illuminating feature can, however, backfire because it gives away the shooter's location.

This form of ammunition is typically used in military attacks to make it easier for soldiers to efficiently hit their target. Tracers are also used on machine gun belts to ensure precise aiming during continuous shooting. This would allow for the ability to fire at rapid speeds.

Paddock purchased .308-caliber and .223-caliber tracer bullets from a private buyer at the Phoenix-area gun show. Investigators came across 23 guns in his hotel room and an additional 24 at his homes in Mesquite and Verdi, Nevada. He legally purchased more than 33 guns over the past 12 months, USA Today reported Wednesday.

Paddock's spray of bullets lasted between nine to 11 minutes as country music festivalgoers attempted to flee the scene. More than 1,000 leads were given to investigators examining the shooting spree, but the motive is still in question.

Local law enforcement found 1,600 rounds of additional ammunition inside his car alongside 50 pounds of Tannerite, an explosive rifle target. These findings have led authorities to conclude that Paddock may have originally intended to escape the scene and survive.

"While some of it has helped create a better profile into the madness of the suspect," Undersheriff Kevin McMahill told reporters at a press conference Friday. "We still do not have a clear motive or reason why."

Paddock is said to have acted alone. Video examined by investigators, including footage taken at the Mandalay Bay hotel, does not pinpoint additional suspects. It has been reported that he lugged his assortment of guns into his Las Vegas hotel suite over a period of several days.

Paddock fatally injured 58 people and wounded more than 500 others in attendance at the Route 91 Harvest Festival October 1. The Clark County Coroner released an official list of names of the individuals who did not survive the deadly attack Thursday. California, Massachusetts and Canadian residents appeared on the list.

This incident is now known to be the deadliest mass shooting to date.