Politics: Police say the unarmed security guard who first found the Las Vegas gunman was a hero who played an 'absolutely critical' role that night

Mandalay Bay security guard Jesus Campos, who may have drawn the gunman's line of fire away from the Las Vegas Strip, has been released from the hospital.

A security guard wounded when he approached Stephen Paddock's room at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Sunday night is being credited with distracting the gunman, possibly stopping him from continuing to shoot at crowds on the Las Vegas Strip, 32 floors below, a Las Vegas law-enforcement official said on Friday.

Jesus Campos was released from the hospital on Thursday.

Campos was patrolling the halls inside the hotel and was responding to reports of a "door alarm," Clark County Undersheriff Kevin C. McMahill said.

Once Campos got to the shooter's floor, he discovered the stairwells had been barricaded. As Campos neared the gunman's room, he was shot in the upper right thigh. Paddock, who was armed with a cache of firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition, had "fired through the door, striking Mr. Campos," David Hickey, president of the hotel's security guard union said. Police later discovered that Paddock had set up cameras in the hallway to monitor activity outside his room.

"He notified his dispatch, which was absolutely critical to us, knowing the location as well as advising the responding officers as they arrived," McMahill said.

"I can tell you that this was a remarkable effort by a brave and remarkable man," McMahill continued. "I want to say today that I don't think we've done a good enough job recognizing him and his actions ... He's an absolute hero."

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said in a press conference on Wednesday that he saw what looked to be about 200 rounds of bullets fired through Paddock's room door, and said it was "amazing that the security guard didn't sustain additional injury."

Paddock may have stopped shooting at the crowd on the Las Vegas Strip because Campos approached his room, McMahill said.

Despite being wounded, Campos kept working alongside Las Vegas police who rushed the 32nd floor.

"His bravery was amazing because he remained with our officers, providing them the key pass to access the door and continued to help them clear rooms until our officers demanded he seek medical attention," Lombardo continued.

"I was just doing my job," Campos said to ABC News.

Campos is expected to undergo surgery to remove the bullet, Hickey said.

Mandalay Bay security guard Jesus Campos, who may have drawn the gunman's line of fire away from the Las Vegas Strip, has been released from the hospital. Read Full Story