UNLV shooting victims identified” : “Naoko Takemaru, Associate Professor at UNLV, Identified as Third Victim in Las Vegas Shooting

Accident – death – Obituary News : Tragedy struck the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) on Wednesday when a gunman opened fire, claiming the lives of three innocent victims. The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner has now released the name of the third victim, identified as Naoko Takemaru, a 69-year-old Associate Professor of Japanese Studies at UNLV.

Dr. Naoko Takemaru was deeply respected within the UNLV community for her expertise in Japanese language and culture. She taught various courses, ranging from Japanese language and conversation to translation and grammar. Her dedication to teaching was recognized when she received the prestigious William Morris Award for Excellence in Teaching from the College of Liberal Arts at UNLV.

This devastating incident also claimed the lives of two other esteemed professors, Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang and Patricia Navarro Velez. Professor Chang, 64, was an associate professor in the Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology department at UNLV. With degrees from Taiwan, Central Michigan University, and Texas A&M University, Chang brought a wealth of knowledge to his field. He held a Ph.D. in management information systems from the University of Pittsburgh and had been teaching at UNLV since 2001.

Professor Navarro Velez, 39, was an accounting professor at UNLV. Known for her expertise in cybersecurity disclosures and data analytics, she had a Ph.D. in accounting and had been with the university for nearly five years. Navarro Velez focused on teaching accounting information systems and was highly regarded by her students and colleagues.

University President Keith E. Whitfield expressed his deep sorrow in a letter addressed to the UNLV community, stating that the shooting was the most difficult day in the history of the university. The tragic loss of Dr. Takemaru, Dr. Chang, and Dr. Navarro Velez has left a profound impact on the university and its members, both physically and emotionally.

The shooter has been identified as Anthony Polito, who engaged in a shootout with responding officers. Polito had previously applied for a professorship at UNLV but was not hired, according to sources. The motive behind his heinous act remains under investigation.

As the UNLV community mourns the loss of these remarkable individuals, their dedication to education and their contributions to their respective fields will always be remembered. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas stands united in support of the victims’ families and loved ones during this tragic time.

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