Struggling academic with target list” : “Three Professors Killed in University Shooting, Gunman Identified as Anthony James Polito

The recent shooting incident at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has left the community in shock. The gunman, identified as 67-year-old Anthony James Polito, killed three professors and injured another before being shot dead by the police. Authorities have revealed that Polito was a financially struggling academic who had faced rejection from various higher-education institutions in Nevada.

Police disclosed that Polito had mailed suspicious letters to faculty members at universities across the country. Additionally, he had compiled a “target list” of individuals at both UNLV and a university in North Carolina where he had previously worked. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, but officials believe that students were not the intended targets.

All four victims, who were shot inside the campus building that houses UNLV’s business school, were faculty members. The deceased have been identified as professors Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang and Patricia Navarro Velez, while the identity of the third slain professor is being withheld pending family notification. The surviving victim’s condition worsened on Thursday, and he remains hospitalized.

Prior to the shooting, Polito had visited a post office and mailed 22 letters without a return address to university personnel across the United States. Authorities intercepted the letters and discovered a suspicious white powdery substance in one of them. The content of the letters is currently under investigation, and officials have urged caution for anyone in higher education who receives such envelopes.

Police have uncovered evidence that Polito was facing financial struggles, including an eviction notice at his home and a document that appeared to be a will. It was also revealed that he had applied for jobs at several higher-education institutions in Nevada.

The UNLV campus will remain closed until Friday, and classes have been canceled until December 10. Authorities are working to notify individuals on Polito’s target list and have contacted most of them to ensure their safety.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues and providing support to struggling individuals within the academic community.