LAS VEGAS – The opening round of the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, scheduled for Thursday night, has been postponed following a mass shooting on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) on Wednesday. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Las Vegas Events (LVE) Board of Trustees made the joint announcement in a media release.
The release stated that further details would be provided on Thursday morning. The PRCA and LVE are considering various options, including canceling the go-round, rescheduling it for another date, or extending the NFR until Sunday, December 17 to complete all 10 rounds.
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The NFR, known as the ‘Super Bowl of Rodeo,’ is held every December at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. It attracts sellout crowds and features the world’s top cowboys and cowgirls competing for world championships and a purse of over $11 million.
The gunman responsible for the shooting, which claimed the lives of three individuals and left a fourth wounded, has been identified as Anthony Polito, a career college professor who had applied for a job at UNLV but was not accepted. Law enforcement sources revealed that Polito may have had a connection to someone working on campus.
The first report of an active shooter came in around 11:45 a.m. local time on Wednesday when gunshots were heard from Beam Hall, where UNLV’s Lee Business School is located.
LVE President Tim Keener expressed his sadness over the events and extended his thoughts and prayers to those affected. He also commended the first responders, police, security, and the UNLV community for their swift actions.
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The names of the three victims who lost their lives have not been released, but the fourth victim is in stable condition after being hospitalized.
PRCA CEO Tom Glause described the shooting as alarming and deeply troubling. He expressed gratitude for the rapid and professional response from law enforcement and first responders and emphasized that their thoughts were with the victims.
Despite the tragic incident, the Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas Convention Center will proceed as scheduled from Thursday, December 7 to Saturday, December 16. The event is open to the public.
