Former Professor’s Obsession with Sin City: The Man Behind the Shooting Spree at UNLV Identified as Anthony Polito

The man behind the shooting spree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has been identified as Anthony Polito, a former professor from North Carolina. Polito, 67, fatally shot three people and wounded a fourth at UNLV before taking his own life. Polito had applied for a teaching job at UNLV in 2020 but was not hired. Prior to the attack, Polito had mailed letters to various university personnel throughout the country, although the contents of the letters were unclear.

Former students and a graduate assistant of Polito described him as an eccentric professor with peculiar ways of working. During his time at East Carolina University (ECU), where he taught for over a decade, Polito was known for his obsession with Las Vegas. He would often talk about his trips to the city, including the hotels, restaurants, clubs, and shopping places he visited. One former student described Polito’s class as a college class where they “just relived someone’s vacation.”

Despite his obsession with Las Vegas, Polito was well-liked by his students at ECU. He was known for his unconventional teaching style, which did not involve attendance, many tests, or the use of a textbook. Instead, all interactions with his students were through his personal email and website. Polito was fixated on student feedback and would dwell on negative comments, even trying to guess who had left them.

Several former students and colleagues of Polito recalled his peculiar behavior and obsession with Las Vegas. One student said that Polito pursued her in a way that made her uncomfortable, contacting her daily and buying her gifts. Another former student mentioned that Polito would give students tips on when to visit Las Vegas and places to stay.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear, as does Polito’s life leading up to the incident. Those who knew him during his time at ECU expressed shock and disbelief at his involvement in a mass shooting. Polito’s former landlord described him as a loner who occasionally got too personal in conversations.

As the investigation into the shooting continues, authorities are working to uncover any additional information about Polito and his motives. The tragedy has left the UNLV community in shock and mourning the loss of the victims.