UNLV shooting 911 calls” : “University of Nevada, Las Vegas Shooting: 3 Professors Killed, Gunman Identified as Anthony Polito

Accident – death – Obituary News : Fire alarms blared in the background of chilling 911 calls released by the police on Friday, capturing the terrified voices of students and faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as they sought refuge during a shooting rampage. The gunman, identified as 67-year-old Anthony Polito, entered UNLV’s business school on Wednesday and fired shots on the top three floors where faculty offices are located. Three professors were killed, and a visiting professor was critically injured.

The 911 calls reveal the panic and fear that engulfed the university during the attack. One woman caller pleaded for urgent help, describing the shots as if they were happening right next door. “Someone’s shooting. Please hurry,” she said, her voice trembling with terror. “I really want to go home.” The harrowing calls serve as a haunting reminder of the horror experienced by those trapped inside the building.

After a shootout with the police, Polito was killed, and authorities discovered that he was carrying nine magazines for a 9mm handgun, which he had legally purchased the previous year. Additionally, he had a list of targets at the school, although none of those who were shot were on that list. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, but investigators revealed that Polito had been denied employment at various Nevada colleges and universities and was facing financial difficulties.

In response to the shooting, University President Keith Whitfield announced that students and faculty would not return to campus for the remainder of the year. Final exams scheduled for the following week have been canceled. Whitfield emphasized the need to prioritize the well-being of the university community and cited the physical and emotional trauma they had endured as the reason for the decision.

The UNLV shooting has sent shockwaves through the city of Las Vegas, which still grapples with the memory of the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history that occurred in October 2017. During that tragic incident, a gunman killed 60 people and injured over 400 from a high-rise suite at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip, just a few miles away from the UNLV campus.

President Joe Biden, who was visiting Las Vegas on Friday, expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. He met with Whitfield and other local leaders to offer his support to the community and law enforcement.

Details about Polito’s actions leading up to the shooting have also emerged. He arrived at UNLV about 15 minutes before the attack and parked his 2007 Lexus in a nearby lot. He then entered the business school, armed with loaded magazines. The first reports of gunfire came approximately 12 minutes after his arrival.

The swift response from university and city police was crucial in containing the situation. The first university officer reached the business school within 78 seconds of the initial report of gunfire. Near the main entrance, UNLV officers encountered Polito leaving the building, resulting in a shootout. The police managed to neutralize the shooter around 10 minutes after the rampage began.

The victims of the shooting have been identified as professors Patricia Navarro-Velez, Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, and Naoko Takemaru. Navarro-Velez, a 39-year-old accounting professor, focused her research on cybersecurity disclosures and data analytics. Chang, 64, was an associate professor in the Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology department. Takemaru, 69, oversaw the university’s Japanese studies program and taught courses on Japanese language, culture, and business.

The investigation into the shooting continues, and authorities are attempting to establish a motive for Polito’s actions. The presence of a target list suggests premeditation, but it remains unclear why the victims were chosen. Polito had previously taught at East Carolina University in North Carolina, and the list included faculty members from both UNLV and East Carolina.

Polito’s former students have provided insights into his behavior. One student recalled Polito frequently discussing his trips to Las Vegas and his fixation on negative student reviews. Polito appeared to be obsessed with anonymous feedback and would often dwell on negative critiques. These details, coupled with his financial struggles and employment rejections, may provide some clues to his state of mind leading up to the shooting.

As the UNLV community mourns the loss of their colleagues and grapples with the aftermath of the shooting, the city of Las Vegas once again finds itself confronting the devastating impact of gun violence. The tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of educational institutions and their members..