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The Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History: A Retired Las Vegas Police Officer Shares His Story. On October 1, 2017, the world witnessed the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in American history. More than 22,000 people were gathered for the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip when gunfire erupted from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel. In just ten minutes, a 64-year-old attacker fired over 1,000 rounds into the crowd, killing 60 people and wounding hundreds more. The total number of injured would eventually rise to approximately 867 as panic swept through the venue. The powerful episode is streaming for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and most every major Podcast platform.
For many, the details of that night came through breaking news on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms. But for the officers responding to the scene, including Retired Las Vegas Metro Police Captain Josh Bitsko, the horror unfolded in real time inside the hotel. Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast social media like their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms.
A Night That Changed Las Vegas Forever
The shooter had meticulously prepared his vantage point: two adjoining suites, 24 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and high-capacity magazines. Fourteen of the rifles were .223-caliber semi-automatic weapons; others included .308-caliber rifles and a revolver. Investigators would later confirm that the gunman fired 1,058 rounds, 1,049 of them aimed toward the festival grounds from nearly 500 yards away. The Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History: A Retired Las Vegas Police Officer Shares His Story. Look for supporting articles about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin .
Shortly before the attack began at 10:05 p.m., a Mandalay Bay security guard discovered a barricaded door on the 32nd floor. Moments later, he was struck by gunfire through the shooter’s door and was able to radio the hotel for help even while wounded. A maintenance worker also encountered the danger and helped relay the message: this was no routine call, someone was firing rapidly and indiscriminately.
Meanwhile, concertgoers below initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks. But as bursts of 80 to 100 rounds echoed across the Las Vegas Village fairgrounds, panic set in. The crowd struggled to escape the fenced-in venue as bullets rained from above. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and other podcast platforms.
The shooter paused only briefly during reloads and while confronting the security guard. By 10:15 p.m., the gunfire had stopped. The suspect then turned his revolver on himself.
Inside the 32nd Floor: Captain Josh Bitsko’s Experience
Amidst early confusion, reports of shots from multiple hotels, uncertainty about the shooter’s position, police officers made their way to the Mandalay Bay. At 10:17 p.m., officers reached the 32nd floor. Guided by the wounded security guard, they began clearing rooms one by one while evacuating terrified guests. The Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History: A Retired Las Vegas Police Officer Shares His Story.
Retired Captain Josh Bitsko, then a sergeant, was one of the officers who ultimately breached the shooter’s room. Between 10:26 and 10:30 p.m. Using explosives, Bitsko and his team entered Room 32–135, where they found the shooter deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
Bitsko would later supervise another officer-involved shooting just weeks afterward, a separate critical incident involving a double-homicide suspect. Both events left lasting emotional impacts and deepened his understanding of trauma within law enforcement.
Beyond the Headlines: Leadership, Trauma & Resilience
Today, Josh Bitsko shares his experience through his book, The Courage to Live, an exploration of leadership under pressure, surviving trauma, and finding clarity in moments of chaos. In it, he opens up about the realities of critical incidents and the therapy journey that helped him process the weight of his police career.
He also founded Bitsko Consulting, where he leads high-impact tabletop training designed to prepare agencies for real-world emergencies. His programs focus on communication, decision-making under stress, leadership development, and understanding operational gaps before the next crisis hits.
Grounded in decades of frontline experience, his instruction combines personal stories with practical tools, giving students immediately usable insights and a deeper sense of mission. The Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History: A Retired Las Vegas Police Officer Shares His Story. His interview can be found on The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and across most podcast platforms where listeners crave authentic law enforcement stories.
A Story Shared Across Platforms
Josh’s story and the deeper lessons from One October continue to be shared through interviews, social media, and podcast platforms. Listeners can find conversations about his experiences on major outlets including:
The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Facebook and Instagram
The Route 91 Harvest tragedy remains one of the most defining moments in modern U.S. history, a night that reshaped national conversations about public safety, policing, mental health, and resilience. Through voices like retired Captain Josh Bitsko, the public continues to gain critical insight into what happened on the 32nd floor and what it takes to lead with courage during the unthinkable. The Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History: A Retired Las Vegas Police Officer Shares His Story. The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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You can help contribute money to make the Gunrunner Movie . The film that Hollywood won’t touch. It is about a now Retired Police Officer that was shot 6 times while investigating Gunrunning. He died 3 times during Medical treatment and was resuscitated. You can join the fight by giving a monetary “gift” to help ensure the making of his film at agunrunnerfilm.com .
Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer.
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The Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History: A Retired Las Vegas Police Officer Shares His Story.
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