UNLV campus shooting victim ID” : “69-Year-Old Naoko Takemaru Identified as Third Victim in UNLV Campus Shooting

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The Clark County coroner’s office has identified the third victim in the shooting that took place at UNLV’s campus on Wednesday. The victim has been identified as 69-year-old Naoko Takemaru, a faculty member at UNLV and an Associate Professor of Japanese Studies. Takemaru’s cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds.

Takemaru was known for her expertise in Japanese language and society, and she had authored a book titled “Women in the Language and Society of Japan: The Linguistic Roots of Bias.” She was also a contributor to various academic journals. The two other professors who lost their lives in the shooting were identified as Professor Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, 64, and Assistant Professor Patricia Navarro Velez, 39.

The shooting incident has left the university community devastated. In a shocking turn of events, it was revealed that the gunman, identified as Anthony Polito, was a former professor who had applied for jobs multiple times at Nevada universities but had been rejected each time. Polito, 67, was killed in a shootout with detectives.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department stated that investigators are still trying to determine the motive behind the shooting. While searching Polito’s apartment, evidence of financial troubles was discovered, including an eviction notice taped to his door.

According to Sheriff McMahill, Polito entered the UNLV campus with a list of individuals he was seeking, but none of the victims were on that list. The shooting has raised concerns about campus security and the need for stricter measures to ensure the safety of students and faculty members.

UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield expressed his condolences and stated that the university would be providing support and counseling services to those affected by the tragedy. The university community is coming together to mourn the loss of their colleagues and to seek solace during this difficult time.