Gunman Identified as Anthony James Polito Kills Three Professors at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The gunman responsible for the tragic shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has been identified as Anthony James Polito, a struggling academic who had been rejected from several higher-education institutions in Nevada. Police have revealed that Polito had also sent suspicious letters to faculty members at universities across the country and had compiled a “target list” of individuals at both UNLV and a university in North Carolina where he had previously worked.

Polito, who was facing eviction from his home in Henderson, a suburb of Las Vegas, had a criminal record dating back to 1992 for computer trespass in Virginia. However, authorities have stated that there were no apparent warning signs of violence prior to the attack.

The handgun used by Polito, a Taurus 9mm, was legally purchased in 2022. Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that Polito acted alone during the shooting.

While the exact motive for the rampage is still being investigated, officials have stated that it does not appear that students were the primary targets. All four individuals shot inside Beam Hall, the UNLV business school building, were faculty members. Two of the deceased have been identified as Professor Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, aged 64, and Assistant Professor Patricia Navarro Velez, aged 39. The identity of the third slain professor is being withheld pending family notification.

The surviving victim remains hospitalized, with his condition deteriorating. It was discovered that Polito had visited a post office shortly before the shooting and mailed 22 letters with no return address to university personnel across the United States. Authorities intercepted the letters, and one of them contained a suspicious white powdery substance.

Polito’s LinkedIn profile described him as a semi-retired associate professor of business who had taught at East Carolina University from 2001 to 2017. Detectives have also uncovered evidence suggesting financial struggles, including an eviction notice found at his apartment and a document resembling a will.

UNLV campus will remain closed until Friday, and classes have been canceled until December 10th. Police are urging caution for anyone in higher education who receives an envelope similar to those sent by Polito and advise them to contact authorities immediately.