“UNLV Shooting: Bodycam Footage Shows Response to Active Shooter, Three Faculty Members Killed”

Accident – death – Obituary News : LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Recently released body-worn camera footage from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has shed light on the harrowing moments of law enforcement’s response to an active shooter on the UNLV campus earlier this month. The incident, which took place on Wednesday, Dec. 6, resulted in the tragic loss of three faculty members and left another injured.

The gunman, a career educator who had repeatedly failed to secure employment at the university, was ultimately shot by university police officers outside of Frank and Estella Beam Hall, the location of the shooting. The newly released body-worn camera videos, available on the Metropolitan Police Department’s YouTube page, provide insight into the actions of three different officers as they arrived on campus, worked to clear school buildings, and assisted students in evacuating the area.

Upon arrival, the officers were met with blaring alarms emanating from various buildings on the university’s campus. The videos capture the officers’ initial confusion regarding the individuals locked inside the rooms of Beam Hall. A dialogue exchange can be heard on the footage, with one officer speculating that there may be victims inside the locked rooms and expressing the need for a key to gain access. The officers proceed to bang on the doors and shout for assistance from Metro police.

As the situation unfolds, one officer reports over the radio that there is a man down in front of Beam Hall, cautioning others to be mindful of potential crossfire. A portion of the video is obscured by a black box as an officer passes by the presumed gunman lying on the ground outside the building. Amidst the chaos, an officer wearing a body-worn camera reacts to a loud bang, possibly resulting from a door or wall being forcefully breached.

As the officers make their way into Beam Hall, they encounter lines of students fleeing lecture halls and classrooms, their hands raised and faces filled with panic. In one poignant moment, the officers halt their progress to assist a wheelchair-bound student down multiple flights of stairs and out of the building. Further inside, the officers come across what appears to be the first shooting victim, whose image is obscured by a black bar in the video.

Throughout the videos, the officers grapple with the uncertainty of whether there is a second shooter on the campus. One officer conveys this concern to another, referencing the simultaneous sounds of gunfire and the officer-involved shooting that took place. The officers also face challenges accessing locked rooms within Beam Hall, resorting to breaking through sheet rock and forcing entry to ensure the building is clear.

Additional footage showcases the ongoing efforts of officers as they move through the student union building with rifles, methodically clearing each room and hallway. The tense atmosphere is accentuated by the officers’ urgent commands and instructions to one another. We witness scenes of caution tape being erected, students and teachers exiting with hands on their heads, and officers attending to groups of individuals found in nearby buildings.

In the midst of the unfolding tragedy, one officer can be heard requesting permission to briefly speak with their family. Meanwhile, at Beam Hall, the police make disturbing discoveries. Bloodstains on the floor prompt officers to kick a door, leading to a discussion about the need for breaching tools on the fifth floor. The officers exchange information about rooms and potential victims, highlighting the chaotic nature of the situation.

Hours pass as officers continue their search, ensuring the safety of the campus until it is finally declared clear later that evening. Two days after the shooting, university officials identified Detectice Nathaniel Drum and Officer Damian Garcia as the heroic campus police officers credited with stopping the gunman. Las Vegas police subsequently released video footage capturing the intense gun battle between the suspect and the officers, with Officer Garcia stating that their actions “neutralized the threat.”

Ultimately, the tragic incident claimed the lives of three esteemed faculty members: Patricia Navarro, 39; Cha Jan Chang, 64 (also known as “Jerry”); and Naoko Takemaru, 69. All three victims were professors at UNLV. In remembrance of the lives lost, a vigil was held on UNLV’s campus exactly one week after the shooting. Additionally, family and friends organized a separate vigil for Dr. Naoko Takemaru at her home.

The release of the body-worn camera footage provides invaluable insight into the bravery and dedication displayed by the responding officers during the UNLV campus shooting. Their swift actions and selfless commitment to protecting lives undoubtedly saved many students and faculty members from further harm. As the community mourns the loss of the victims, their memories will forever be honored..