LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The Clark County coroner’s office has identified the third victim of the shooting at UNLV’s campus as 69-year-old Naoko Takemaru. Takemaru, a faculty member and Associate Professor of Japanese Studies at UNLV, was fatally shot on Wednesday. The cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds.
Takemaru was a respected academic and author. She wrote a book titled “Women in the Language and Society of Japan: The Linguistic Roots of Bias” and contributed articles to various journals. Her death has left the UNLV community devastated, adding to the grief following the loss of two other professors in the shooting.
On Thursday, the two other victims were identified as Professor Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, 64, from Henderson, Nevada, and Assistant Professor Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, from Las Vegas. The shooting has sent shockwaves through the university and the wider community.
The gunman responsible for the attack, Anthony Polito, was a former professor who had applied for jobs at Nevada universities multiple times but was rejected each time. Polito, 67, was killed in a shootout with detectives. Investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the shooting.
During a search of Polito’s apartment, detectives discovered evidence of financial troubles and an eviction notice taped to his door. It was also revealed that Polito had entered the UNLV campus with a list of individuals he was seeking, although none of the victims were on that list.
The shooting has reignited discussions about gun control and campus safety. The UNLV community is mourning the loss of three beloved professors and grappling with the senseless act of violence that occurred on their campus. The university is providing counseling services and support to students, faculty, and staff affected by the tragedy.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
