Professors ChaJan ‘Jerry’ Chang and Patricia Navarro Velez Identified as Victims in UNLV Shooting

Accident – death – Obituary News : Three Victims Identified in Deadly Shooting at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Officials from the Clark County coroner’s office have released the names of two out of the three victims who tragically lost their lives on Wednesday when a gunman opened fire at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The victims have been identified as professors ChaJan “Jerry” Chang, 64, and Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, according to the coroner’s office. The third victim has been identified, but authorities have not yet notified the relatives.

Professor Patricia Navarro Velez was an accounting professor at UNLV and held a Ph.D. in accounting. She was deeply involved in research related to cybersecurity disclosures and data analytics, as showcased on the university’s official website. On the other hand, Professor ChaJan “Jerry” Chang was an associate professor in the Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology department of the business school. He possessed degrees from Taiwan, Central Michigan University, and Texas A&M University, as mentioned on his online resume. Chang had earned a Ph.D. in management information systems from the University of Pittsburgh and had been teaching at UNLV since 2001.

The UNLV community is devastated by the loss of these esteemed professors. The tragedy unfolded when a gunman opened fire on the UNLV campus, claiming the lives of three innocent individuals. The suspected shooter was subsequently neutralized by law enforcement officers, according to authorities.

In addition to the three fatalities, another person sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center in critical condition. Fortunately, their condition has since been upgraded to stable, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the tragic incident.

The suspect, identified as 67-year-old Anthony Polito by ABC News sources, systematically moved through UNLV’s Beam Hall, targeting faculty and staff members. Interestingly, it was revealed that Polito had previously applied for a professorship at UNLV but was not hired, suggesting a possible motive for the attack.

As investigators delve deeper into the case, they have determined that the victims killed in the shooting were faculty or staff members, not students. This revelation has led detectives to believe that the rampage may not have been a random act of violence but rather a targeted attack driven by some form of prior relationship or interaction.

During a press conference on Thursday, law enforcement officials revealed that the suspect had sent mail to university faculty members prior to the shooting. One of these letters contained an unknown white powder, prompting a collaboration between authorities and the U.S. Postal Service to investigate further.

The absence of security cameras in the building has posed challenges for investigators as they piece together the timeline of events leading up to the shooting. However, they remain determined to uncover the full truth behind this tragic incident.

The UNLV community and the wider Las Vegas community are now left grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event. As they mourn the loss of two beloved professors and pray for the recovery of the injured individual, they also reflect on the need for increased security measures and vigilance in educational institutions.

This report has been compiled with contributions from The Associated Press and ABC News..