LAS VEGAS (AP) — A 67-year-old college professor went on a shooting rampage at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), killing three faculty members before being shot dead by police. The shooter, identified as Anthony Polito, was armed with a 9mm handgun and had nine loaded magazines in his possession. He also had a list of targets at the school, although none of the victims were on that list.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown, but police have revealed that Polito had been denied jobs at various colleges and universities in Nevada. He had recently purchased the handgun legally and had over 150 rounds of ammunition with him.
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The shooting took place in Beam Hall, a business school building, where terrified students and professors sought shelter as the gunman roamed the upper floors. Police responded to the scene within minutes and engaged in a shootout with Polito, ultimately killing him.
One visiting professor remains in critical condition, while two faculty members were found dead on the third floor and one on the fourth floor. Police believe that the wounded survivor was shot on the fifth floor but managed to make it to the ground floor.
Polito had a “target list” that included faculty members from UNLV and East Carolina University, where he had previously worked. However, none of the individuals on the list became victims of the attack. Police have contacted everyone on the list except for one person who was traveling.
Investigators discovered that Polito had dropped off 22 letters to university faculty members across the U.S. Some of the letters contained an unknown white powder, which was later found to be harmless. The nature of the letters and their contents have not been disclosed.
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Authorities have noted that Polito appeared to be struggling financially and had received an eviction notice. They found a document resembling a last will and testament in his apartment.
The UNLV community has been devastated by the shooting, which is being described as the most difficult day in the university’s history. Two of the victims have been identified as professors Patricia Navarro-Velez and Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang.
The attack has sent shockwaves through Las Vegas, a city that experienced the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history in 2017. Polito’s former students have described him as fixated on negative student reviews and often talked about his trips to Las Vegas.
