Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Luke had another reason for choosing to practice shooting at this time; last time, he won two rifle cards in a raffle that could "quickly learn and comprehend shooting techniques."

This time, in the shooting incident raffle, he won another one, now totaling three cards, which made learning twice as effective.

After using the three cards, he estimated that his rifle proficiency would improve significantly.

Next to the gun warehouse was a small fixed shooting range. After selecting a gun, he could test it there. Luke tried several rifles with good performance, and in the end, he chose an M4.

This gun was not only well-rounded in performance but also easy to handle.

The full name of the M4 is the M4 Carbine Rifle, designed by Colt Company. It is an improved version of the M16A2 assault rifle and can accommodate 30 rounds of 5.56×45mm standard bullets.

The M4 is also one of the most equipped individual weapons in the American military.

Luke went to the practice range and started by shooting at fixed targets.

The sensation of shooting a rifle is completely different from that of a pistol. The rifle's bullets are much longer than those of a pistol, and their shape is significantly different.

Pistol bullets have round heads, while rifle bullets have pointed heads.

The shooting posture is also completely different; the recoil of a rifle is much greater than that of a pistol. Each shot requires direction adjustment, which can be a bit uncomfortable for a novice.

"Da da..."

Luke shot at a target 30 meters away. Of the 30 bullets fired, he hit less than one-third. That was with a very low rate of fire because if he fired too quickly, he couldn't aim again.

After shooting several magazines, Luke got a feel for the rifle, and his arms were also somewhat numb.

"Da da da..."

Just then, a Caucasian man next to him was also target shooting, with a very standard posture and fast shooting speed. He emptied a magazine in only a third of the time Luke took.

The target moved forward, and there were almost no missed shots.

The man removed his earmuffs and smiled at Luke, "Detective Chief Luke, no, Deputy Luke, we meet again."

"Agent Anthony, it's been a while. What brings you here?"

Anthony held up his rifle, "Care for a match?"

"If you want to compete, we could go for pistol shooting, but let's not with the rifles."

"Weren't you the big hero who subdued the gunman? So little confidence in your rifle shooting?"

"At this range, if I use a pistol, you won't even have the chance to use your rifle."

Pistols are more flexible and suitable for close-range combat.

Anthony raised both hands, "I surrender, shall we talk instead?"

Luke guessed, "You're here for the shooting case?"

"Yes."

"You're also involved in investigating this case?"

"That's right, so I thought we could have a talk here, which is still better than at Las Vegas Police Department, don't you think?"

That comment hit home for Luke; he did not want to go to the Las Vegas Police Department again, "Can I go back to Los Angeles after chatting with you?"

"Yes."

"Your word is good?" Luke said, with a double meaning.

"I wouldn't dare deceive you. You're now a big hero in Los Angeles. If I crossed you, you sure wouldn't dare to step foot in Los Angeles again."

"Forget the hero talk, I don't like that label."

The two went to a café in the club.

The café's hanging TV was still broadcasting news of the shooting incident.

The café was empty except for Luke and Anthony.

Luke cut to the chase, "What do you want to know?"

Anthony put down his coffee cup, "Talk me through your purpose in coming to Las Vegas, the people with you, and everything that happened in detail."

"Even though I know this is part of the investigation, as someone who did the right thing, to be interrogated over and over and even restricted from leaving is unsettling to me.

Moreover, I have to pay for my expenses in Las Vegas out of my own pocket. It seems a bit unfair."

Anthony spread his hands, "That's why I'm here to rescue you."

Left with no choice, Luke recounted the events of the case.

After listening, Anthony asked back, "Had you seen the gunman before? Or had any other form of contact?"

"No."

"Have you been to Las Vegas before?"

"First time."

"You're a cop, and you were at the scene when the shooting happened, then you were the first to arrive. In your judgment, why would the gunman attack the music festival goers?"

"I've been to the crime scene, but I know too little about the case.

Plus, this is Las Vegas; I have no sources of information here. What do you expect me to say?"

Anthony explained, "The shooter was named Stephen Parker, 64 years old.

His father was a bank robber who spent many years in prison, so Stephen grew up in a single-parent family.

From his youth to middle age, he worked in real estate and auditing, living a relatively affluent life.

But the man had a gambling addiction, frequenting Las Vegas casinos with high stakes.

Since 2015, he kept losing money and was diagnosed with depression, often taking antidepressants.

A week before the shooting, he booked two adjacent rooms on the 32nd floor. In addition to the crime scene you found, room 135 next door was also booked by him."

Listening to Anthony's introduction, Luke got a general impression of the gunman and asked further, "Any next of kin?"

"None."

"Any records of association with gangs or terrorist organizations?"