Gunman Identified as Anthony Polito Kills Three Faculty Members in UNLV Campus Shooting

The gunman responsible for Wednesday’s shooting at the University of Nevada’s Las Vegas campus has been identified as 67-year-old Anthony Polito, a former college professor. According to law enforcement, Polito had a “target list” of individuals, all of whom have been contacted except for one person who is traveling internationally. Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed that none of the individuals on the target list became victims of the shooting.

Prior to the attack, Polito sent 22 letters to various University personnel across the country, all of which had no return address. The first intercepted letter contained an unknown white powder, prompting authorities to urge anyone who received similar mail to contact them. Police are currently working with the postal inspector and federal partners to process these letters and contact the recipients.

Authorities believe that the motive behind the shooting may have been Polito’s frustration over being rejected for multiple job opportunities at different colleges. Polito had recently applied for a job at the University of Nevada but was not accepted. It is unclear why he targeted the UNLV campus specifically.

The shooting resulted in the deaths of three faculty members and left one person seriously injured. The victims have been identified as professor Cha Jan Chang, 64, known as “Jerry,” and assistant professor Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, both of Las Vegas. The identity of the third victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas president Keith Whitfield expressed his grief and condolences for the victims and their families. He described the incident as a “senseless act of violence” and thanked everyone for taking the call to shelter in place seriously during the shooting. Whitfield also acknowledged the outpouring of support received by the university community during this difficult time.

Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are still working to understand Polito’s motive for the shooting. They believe he acted alone and there is no indication of other suspects at this time. Polito was facing financial difficulties, as evidenced by an eviction notice found at his residence.