Tragic Shooting at UNLV Campus: Three Lives Lost, Suspected Gunman Neutralized – Latest Updates. In a devastating incident on Wednesday afternoon, three individuals lost their lives, and another sustained injuries in a shooting at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) campus. Swift action by law enforcement officers resulted in the demise of the suspected gunman, eliminating any lingering threat to the community, as stated by the police later on the same day.
Sources within law enforcement, speaking to CBS News, disclosed that the assailant, described as a Caucasian male in his sixties, had a prior career as a college professor, having taught in both Georgia and North Carolina. Tragic Shooting at UNLV Campus.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, in a press conference later that evening, confirmed awareness of the suspect’s identity but refrained from disclosing it until the victims’ families had been notified. Unofficially, sources linked the shooter to Anthony “Tony” Polito, who reportedly sought employment at the university without success. There are indications of a potential connection to someone working on the campus, according to KLAS-TV sources.
Earlier in the day, Sheriff McMahill had stated that the motive behind the attack remained unknown.
The initial report of an active shooter reached authorities around 11:45 a.m. local time, prompting a rapid response from metropolitan and university police. The confrontation with the suspect unfolded outside Beam Hall, originating from the building’s fourth floor.
Tragically, three lives were lost, and one individual with gunshot wounds was admitted to a local hospital, confirmed to be in stable condition by Sheriff McMahill. Four others were hospitalized due to panic attacks. Two police officers sustained minor injuries while meticulously searching the campus for potential additional victims.
Sheriff McMahill emphasized that the timely intervention of law enforcement, racing to the scene within minutes, likely prevented more casualties, particularly noting a gathering outside Beam Hall where people were engaged in activities like dining and constructing Lego sets.
Expressing his condolences, McMahill asserted, “No student should have to fear pursuing their dreams on a college campus,” branding the incident as “a heinous, unforgivable crime.”
Sunrise Hospital Trauma Center reported receiving three patients from the shooting, according to Trauma Medical Director Chris Fisher.
Suspected Gunman Neutralized – Latest Updates
A reunification center was established at the North Hall on the campus for families struggling to reach their loved ones, as announced by Clark County Fire Chief John C. Steinbeck in an afternoon news conference. Many people online showed their anger on shooting at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, offered assistance in the ongoing investigation, according to a federal law enforcement official.
UNLV announced the closure of the campus for the week, with decisions about reopening on Monday pending further evaluation, as communicated by University Police Chief Adam Garcia in the evening news conference.
President Joe Biden addressed the tragedy in a statement, calling for intensified measures against the “epidemic of gun violence.” He urged Congress, especially Republican lawmakers, to collaborate on initiatives such as an assault weapons ban and universal background checks.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman expressed her sorrow, terming the news “tragic and heartbreaking,” and extended prayers for those on campus. University President Brian Sandoval described the day as “unimaginably sad and shocking” and conveyed deepest sympathies to the victims’ families, affirming solidarity with the entire state during these challenging times.
