Biden UNLV shooting” : “Three University Professors Killed in UNLV Shooting, President Biden Meets with Victims’ Families

Accident – death – Obituary News : President Biden Holds Private Meeting with UNLV Students and Community Members Following Shooting

President Biden met privately with students and community members from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) on Friday in the aftermath of a tragic shooting that claimed the lives of three individuals. The meeting took place at the site where Biden later delivered a speech on federal high-speed rail investments. At the start of his remarks, the President addressed the shooting, emphasizing that such incidents should never become the norm.

The shooting occurred on Wednesday, when Anthony Polito, a former business professor who had repeatedly applied for a position at UNLV and other higher education institutions in the state, opened fire on three floors of the Lee Business School. Prior to the shooting, Polito visited a post office in nearby Henderson, where he sent 22 letters with no return address to various university personnel across the country. Although white powder was found in some of the envelopes, it was determined to be harmless.

Tragically, all three victims who lost their lives were university professors, while a fourth victim, a visiting professor, remains hospitalized. Polito was subsequently killed by the police.

During his meeting with UNLV students and community members, President Biden expressed his gratitude to the law enforcement officers who risked their lives and offered prayers for the families of the victims. He also highlighted the lasting impact of the 2017 Las Vegas Strip shooting, which still weighs heavily on the minds of many people in the city.

The President stressed the urgency of addressing gun violence and called on Capitol Hill to take action. He urged Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, pass national red flag laws, require safe storage, enact universal background checks, and implement other common-sense measures to save lives.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 600 mass shootings in America this year alone, with more than 633 incidents meeting their definition of a mass shooting. The Washington Post, on the other hand, uses the term “mass killing” to describe events where four or more people have died, excluding the perpetrators. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 39 such violent episodes.

In September, President Biden established a new office for gun violence prevention. However, progress toward enacting gun violence prevention laws has faced significant obstacles in Congress.

The President’s meeting with UNLV students and community members included UNLV President Keith Whitfield, as well as representatives from public safety and the student body. The meeting aimed to provide support and address the concerns of those affected by the shooting.

In addition to the meeting, President Biden traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate a major high-speed rail investment. The only private intercity passenger railroad in the country, Brightline, received a $3 billion federal grant to help fund a $12 billion high-speed railway project connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. This significant infusion of federal money for a private project aims to introduce trains traveling at 186 mph on U.S. tracks by 2028.

Following his visit to Las Vegas, President Biden is scheduled to travel to Los Angeles, where he will attend a campaign reception with First Lady Jill Biden.

It is important to note that Luz Lazo contributed to this report.

In conclusion, President Biden’s private meeting with UNLV students and community members served as an opportunity to offer condolences, provide support, and discuss the urgent need for action on gun violence prevention. The President’s visit also highlighted the importance of investment in high-speed rail infrastructure, aiming to improve transportation options and boost economic growth in the region..