“UNLV shooting victims: Professors identified” : Naoko Takemaru, UNLV Professor, Identified as Third Victim in Las Vegas Shooting

The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner has released the name of the third victim killed by a gunman at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) on Wednesday. The victim has been identified as Naoko Takemaru, a 69-year-old Associate Professor of Japanese Studies at UNLV. Takemaru was known for her expertise in teaching Japanese language, culture, and translation.

UNLV officials also released the names of two other victims who lost their lives in the tragic shooting. The victims were identified as professors Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, 64, and Patricia Navarro Velez, 39. Chang was an associate professor in the business school’s Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology department, while Navarro was an accounting professor specializing in cybersecurity disclosures and data analytics.

University President Keith E. Whitfield expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, calling it the most difficult day in the history of the university. He extended his condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the violence.

A fourth person, a faculty member, was injured in the shooting and rushed to Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center in critical condition. Fortunately, their condition has since been upgraded to stable.

The shooter, identified as Anthony Polito, was killed in a shootout with responding officers about ten minutes after the first shots were reported. Polito had reportedly applied for a professorship at UNLV but was not hired. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.

The UNLV campus community has been left devastated by the tragedy. Flowers have been placed against a campus sign in honor of the victims. Counseling and support services are being provided to students and staff who have been affected by the incident.

This senseless act of violence has shaken the UNLV community and the city of Las Vegas. The university and local authorities are working together to ensure the safety and well-being of the campus and its members.