“University of Nevada Shooting: Gunman Mistaken for Bystander in Deadly UNLV Business School Attack”

Accident – death – Obituary News : LAS VEGAS (AP) — In a tragic incident at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, police officers mistakenly identified the gunman as a bystander during their search for the suspect and victims. Body camera footage and police testimonies reveal that the officers urged the shooter, Anthony Polito, to evacuate the building, unaware of his true identity. This incident occurred on December 6 in the university’s business school, resulting in the deaths of three professors and one injured individual.

The recently released footage, spanning over five hours, offers a brief glimpse of Polito inside the building after he had already opened fire on the upper floors of the business school. Clad in a long black trench coat over a white shirt, Polito calmly navigated the first floor amidst the swarm of officers. Contrary to expectations, there was no visible indication that he possessed a firearm.

The officers, with their weapons drawn, shouted at Polito to evacuate and directed him towards an exit while continuing their search along the walkway above. Unbeknownst to the officers, students and staff were enjoying their lunch and engaging in games just outside the business school, adjacent to the university’s student union, when the shooter’s rampage unfolded.

Polito complied with the officers’ instructions and exited the building. However, moments later, he brandished his weapon and engaged in a shootout with university police officers, resulting in his demise. Fortunately, no individuals outside the building suffered harm.

Clark County Undersheriff Andrew Walsh confirmed that it was apparent the officers were unaware they had encountered the actual gunman within the premises. At the time, they lacked a description of the shooter and were aware that additional police resources were present on the first floor.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill had previously stated that the university police officers had mistaken Polito for a professor. However, the body camera footage released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department did not capture the shootout. Instead, an earlier video released by McMahill showcased Polito descending a flight of stairs outside the business school, his black coat swaying with each step. The footage revealed that as one of the university police officers approached Polito from behind, the shooter turned around, weapon in hand, causing the officer to seek shelter behind a patrol car.

While authorities have not disclosed a specific motive for the shooting, they have revealed that Polito was experiencing financial difficulties and had been rejected for a teaching position at UNLV as well as other institutions in Nevada. Prior to the incident, Polito had resigned from his tenured post at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, where he had taught business for over 15 years.

The tragic incident at UNLV claimed the lives of three esteemed professors: Naoko Takemaru, 69, an accomplished author and associate professor of Japanese studies; Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, 64, an associate professor in the business school’s Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology department; and Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, an accounting professor specializing in cybersecurity disclosures and data analytics. The identity of the injured victim, a 38-year-old visiting professor, has not been disclosed.

Authorities have announced that additional body camera footage will be released in the coming weeks, shedding further light on the tragic events that unfolded at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas..