UNLV cancels finals after campus shooting

The third victim who was killed in Wednesday’s shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has been named as Dr Naoko Takemaru.

Dr Takemaru was named after her next of kin were informed by the coroner’s office, UNLV president Keith Whitfield said in a statement.

“With sadness, I write to you to mourn the tragic passing of Dr Naoko Takemaru, who this morning was confirmed to be among the three UNLV faculty members who lost their lives during Wednesday’s shooting,” Mr Whitfield said.

The first two victims of the shooting were identified as professor Cha Jan Chang, 64, known as “Jerry,” and assistant professor Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, of Las Vegas, on Thursday.

It comes after Las Vegas police released new video purportedly showing suspect Anthony Polito moments after his shooting rampage at the University of Nevada‘s Las Vegas campus.

The footage emerged after investigators revealed that 67-year-old Polito had a “target list” - but none of his alleged victims were on it.

Police previously confirmed that Polito was a career college professor who had applied for – but failed to be accepted for – a job at UNLV.

Polito previously worked as a professor at colleges in Georgia and North Carolina, and kept a personal website where he proudly documented his academic achievements – and claimed to have solved the Zodiac Killer case.

According to police, he had a previous criminal history of computer trespass out of Virginia in 1992.

On the day of the shooting Polito was armed with a Taurus nine-millimeter handgun, which had been purchased legally in 2022. He had brought 11 magazines to the scene with him. Nine loaded magazines were found on his person.

Key Points

• Suspect sent 22 letters to various universities before shooting

• Suspect identified as 67-year-old professor Anthony Polito

• Three victims killed and fourth injured in UNLV campus shooting

• Gunman had recently unsuccessfully applied for a job at UNLV: sources

• UNLV shooting suspect captured on video after deadly rampage

• All in-person final exams at UNLV cancelled

• Third victim of UNLV shooting named

Gunman was “obsessed” with student reviews: former student

Friday 8 December 2023 11:20 , Rachel Sharp

One of Polito’s former students at East Carolina, Paul Whittington, told The Associated Press that Anthony Polito often talked about his regular trips to Las Vegas.

He also seemed obsessive over anonymous student reviews at the end of each semester, Whittington said.

Polito told Mr Whittington’s class that he remembered the faces of students who gave him bad reviews and would express that he was sure who they were and where they sat, pointing at seats in the classroom, Mr Whittington said.

“He always talked about the negative feedback he got,” said Mr Whittington, now 33, who took Polito’s intro to operations management class in 2014.

“He didn’t get a lot of it, but there would always be one student every semester, or at least one student every class, that would give a negative review. And he fixated on those.”

Recap: What we know about the UNLV shooting

Friday 8 December 2023 11:40 , Mike Bedigan

The gunman behind Wednesday’s attack has now been officially named by police as 67-year-old Anthony Polito.

Two of the three deceased victims have also been named, with a fourth also still recovering in hospital.

A motive is yet to be established. Here’s what we know so far:

What we know about the UNLV shooting

What was the motive for the shooting?

Friday 8 December 2023 13:00 , Martha Mchardy

Police currently do not have a motive for the killings, and said investigations would likely take a long time.

Sheriff McMahill told the press conference: “We will be conducting this investigation into the wee hours of the morning, there is no doubt.

“I know you have an insatiable appetite like I do to find out why, to understand motivation, and we will provide that to you at the appropriate time.”

Las Vegas police are now searching an apartment in Henderson, Nevada, believed to be connected to the gunman, ABC News reported.

Police have also seized the suspect’s cellphone and professional papers to look for possible clues as to the motive for the attack.

Watch: Police respond to shooting at University of Nevada

Friday 8 December 2023 14:00 , Martha Mchardy

UNLV students ‘no longer feel safe’ on campus after shooting

Friday 8 December 2023 15:30 , Martha Mchardy

UNLV students have told of their horror after a gunman killed three people on campus and injured a fourth.

Police said the suspect, identified only as a 67-year-old college professor, shot at students in Beam Hall, where the college’s Lee Business School is located.

Journalism student Shainna Alipon told ABC7 she heard gunfire from inside the Student Union Building next door.

“We made our way down the stairs of the building just to escape and while we were walking down, we heard even more gunshots. I said ‘oh my gosh, I hope the shooter doesn’t come to the building where we’re at,’” she said.

“My editor-in-chief, he was kind of snapping me out of it, he was like, ‘hey can I borrow your phone? We have to take video of this; you know, we’re the press,’ and I was like, ‘oh shoot - you’re right.’ So I snapped out of it, started taking more videos, started talking to a little more people trying to see ‘hey is everyone on your end OK? What do you think is going on?’ It kind of solidified for the first time today - ‘oh I am a journalist; this is like my job,’” Ms Alipon added.

Meanwhile, Tinio, from Hercules, California told ABC he no longer fells safe on campus.

“I don’t feel safe anymore. Finals are next week and all of our finals are supposed to be in-person,” he said.

“It just makes me feel scared for the future because it’s getting closer and closer to me, closer and closer to my family, people who I love.”

Who are the three people killed in the UNLV shooting?

Friday 8 December 2023 16:30 , Martha Mchardy

Three people have died in a shooting on the University of Nevada‘s Las Vegas campus.

Assistant professor of accounting Patricia Navarro-Velez, 39, is among those dead, as well as Dr Cha Jan Chang, 64.

Both died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Clark County coroner.

Ms Navarro-Velez joined UNLV five years ago after receiving her PhD in accounting from the University of Central Florida, and her MAcc from Bowling Green State University, as well as a BBA in accounting from the University of Puerto Rico, Ponce.

Meanwhile, Dr Chang was a longtime educator of management information systems, who had spent more than 20 years of his academic career teaching a generation of UNLV Lee Business School students, said college president Kevin Whitfield.

The third victim, who is also believed to be a faculty member, has not yet been identified by police.

A fourth person, who has been identified only as a 38-year-old male who was a visiting professor, was injured in the attack and is in hospital in a stable condition, police said.

It is not clear if there is a connection between the victims and the gunman or if they were specifically targeted in the mass shooting.

Latest pictures from UNLV after three people killed in shooting

Friday 8 December 2023 17:00 , Martha Mchardy

What happened in the UNLV shooting?

Friday 8 December 2023 18:00 , Martha Mchardy

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department chief Kevin McMahill said Anthony Polito was armed with a handgun and a stash of ammunition when he allegedly shot four faculty members at around 11.45am on Wednesday morning on the campus of the University of Nevada in Beam Hall, where the college’s Lee Business School is located.

UNLV Police Chief Adam Garcia said that he first opened fire on the fourth floor of the building before he moved through several other floors.

An “active shooter” alert was sent to students, staff and faculty, while on- and off-duty police officers rushed to the location where they found Polito outside of Beam Hall armed with a handgun. A shootout unfolded and the 67-year-old was then shot dead by police.

Three victims, including assistant professor Patricia Navarro-Velez, 39, and Dr Cha Jan Chang, 64, were killed in the attack. The third victim, who is also believed to be a faculty member, has not yet been identified by police.

A fourth person, who has been identified only as a 38-year-old male who was a visiting professor, is in hospital in a stable condition, police said.

The active shooter alert was lifted and an all-clear given around 40 minutes after the first reports of gunfire.

At a press conference shortly afterwards, sheriff McMahill said there was “no further threat” to the community.

Winter graduations at UNLV to proceed as planned

Friday 8 December 2023 19:30 , Mike Bedigan

Keith Whitfield, president of UNLV, said that winter graduation ceremonies at the college would continue as planned on December 19 and 20, in spite of the shooting.

Mr Whitfield said he had heard from students and parents and that “One common thread that emerged was a desire to come together” in the aftermath of Wednesday’s tragedy.

“The milestone moment of commencement is the most special day on the university calendar, and it’s in difficult times like these that we can and should celebrate our graduates’ academic dreams fulfilled.

“We know that the trauma of this week’s tragedy impacts each one of us in different ways. For those eligible to participate in this winter’s commencement who choose not to attend at this time, you will have the option to walk and participate fully during the May 2024 commencement ceremonies.

“We believe these decisions regarding finals and commencement provide flexibility for both students and faculty, and offer the best path forward for our university.”

In a statement posted to the UNLV website, Mr Whitfield also thanked the students, faculty and staff.

“Your resilience amidst near insurmountable adversity continues to amaze me. In the short time since Wednesday’s incident, I’ve met with some of you to listen and to learn, and I acknowledge the pain, fear, and anxiety that many are experiencing right now. I feel it too,” he said.

GoFundMe page for Navarro family raises almost $35,000 in under 24 hours

Friday 8 December 2023 20:00 , Mike Bedigan

A GoFundMe page, set up in honour of UNLV shooting victim Patricia Navarro, has raised almost $35,000 in less than 24 hours.

The page, set up by Bryan Campbell, described the Navarro family as “very much loved, kind and caring”.

“It’s with an extremely heavy heart for me to have to write this, but our CA family and Las Vegas community suffered a great loss yesterday and we are devastated and heartbroken,” the description read.

“Any support that can be given to this family is appreciated. We hope you are able to send your support for memorial and travel arrangements.

“Your generosity will make a world of difference in efforts to support the family and their time of grieving.”

All funds will go directly to the Navarro family.

Beam hall building at UNLV ‘remains inaccessible'

Friday 8 December 2023 20:45 , Mike Bedigan

In an update shared online, UNLV said that the Beam Hall (BEH) building, where Wednesday’ shooting took place, “remains inaccessible”.

All other buildings can be now accessed to retrieve belongings with the assistance of University Police Services, the update said, as well as all vehicles that was left on the main campus.

First victims in UNLV mass shooting identified

Friday 8 December 2023 21:30 , Mike Bedigan

Three people were killed and another left seriously injured during an attack on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus on Wednesday.

All four of the victims were faculty members at the UNLV, the college’s president Keith Whitfield has confirmed. Two of the three deceased have now been named.

Here’s what we know about the victims so far:

First victims in UNLV mass shooting identified

UNLV president thanks police for ‘swift and heroic action'

Friday 8 December 2023 22:15 , Mike Bedigan

On Friday, UNLV president Keith Whitfield again expressed his thanks to the University Police Services for their “remarkably swift and heroic action in the face of harrowing circumstances”.

“While we continue to grieve for the heartbreaking loss of three of our faculty members, I will be forever indebted to all of the officers – and to first responders throughout our community,” he said.

“You have our back in ways we always knew, but at the same time never could have imagined. You continue to give our campus a sense of safety when we need it most.”

Mr Whitfield added: “Thank you to our large community of supporters – from local and state agencies to hospitality and business partners, elected officials, alumni, friends, and our sister institutions throughout the Nevada System of Higher Education and beyond.

“Your kindness, your generosity, and your deep commitment to UNLV and our people reinforce my belief that Las Vegas and Nevada are uniquely special places.”

WATCH: UNLV shooting suspect captured on video after deadly rampage

Friday 8 December 2023 23:05 , Mike Bedigan

Three victims killed in UNLV mass shooting identified

Friday 8 December 2023 23:45 , Mike Bedigan

All three victims that were killed in Wednesday’s attack have now been identified.

The third, Dr Naoko Takemaru, was named on Friday after her next of kin were contacted by the coroner.

First victims in UNLV mass shooting identified

UNLV president ‘our emotions are swinging like a pendulum'

Saturday 9 December 2023 00:15 , Mike Bedigan

At a press conference on Friday afternoon, ULVN president Keith Whitfield said that the college could “feel the love” of the community following the tragic events.

“I can say that our emotions, our emotions are swinging like a pendulum. It appears sometimes at one moment that people are fine and then the next moment, it feels like they’re being knocked down by a tidal wave of grief and pain,” he said.

“It’s going to be a while before we get to whatever we can consider normal. But you know something that’s okay.”

Speaking of all those who had reached out to offer support he added: “I cannot tell you, in my role as president of this university, how much that means.

“I meet and talk to students who have been touched by the incredible generosity and it is making a difference in terms of trying to be able to get better.”

Tributes paid to shooting victims by colleagues

Saturday 9 December 2023 00:27 , Mike Bedigan

Dr Margaret Harp, a colleague of Dr Naoko Takemaru, described as “lion-hearted” and a “triple threat artist”.

“I hope we will also remember her for her multiple talents,” Dr Harp said.

“She was a professional concert pianist who left that career due to physical disabilities. She embroidered beautifully, creating her own designs and every holiday season she brought us her homemade chocolates.

“In a department full of cat lovers, Naoko was a cat lover supreme. Her office is covered, floor to ceiling, wall to wall with cat pictures, drawings, puzzles and calendars.”

Dr Harp added: “Naoko was frail physically. However, she was lion-hearted... and I have no doubt she was lionhearted in her final moments on Earth.

“Godspeed Naoko you are better people for having known you. We are bereft at losing you.”

UNLV president met with Joe Biden

Saturday 9 December 2023 00:30 , Mike Bedigan

Keith Whitfield expressed his thanks to president Joe Biden, who had met with him personally following Wednesday’s tragedy.

“He offered love and support for UNLV and we appreciate the support by President Biden, as well as the support from the entire Nevada congressional delegation,” he told a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Dr Patricia Navarro ‘made everyone feel like family'

Saturday 9 December 2023 00:33 , Mike Bedigan

Dr Patricia Navarro was remembered for her “larger-than-life personality and infectious smile.”

Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr Navarro had “a genuine kindness that made everyone around her feel like family,” Dr Jason Smith said.

“She loved gatherings – ‘the more the merrier’ she would say. She loved baking and sharing especially dessert items. Her creme brulee and macarons were were not to be missed.

“She lit up a room with her smile and although her professional accomplishments are impressive, Pat’s most important work was at home.

“Pat and her husband are proud parents of four children and she was blessed to be surrounded with love by her parents, three sisters, a brother, many nieces and nephews and countless friends and colleagues who adored her.”

Dr Smith added: “[She is] summed up in a picture frame she has in her kitchen she brought for Thanksgiving. It has one word – it says “framily” – which is defined as friends who become family.

“Her lasting legacy is one of her a wide circle of friends who, through her influence and love, and through this experience today, find ourselves as family.”

Dr ‘Jerry’ Chang was ‘a mentor of the highest calibre'

Saturday 9 December 2023 00:40 , Mike Bedigan

Dr Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang was rememebered as “a rigorous researcher and a good teacher who deeply love his student and UNLV”.

“He was a mentor of the highest caliber, offering guidance and support – not just with words but with actions, sharing his experience and wisdom generously, patiently helping [students] navigate the complexity of academia,” a colleague said of Dr Chang.

“He believed in their potential and celebrated their achievement, fostering a sense of belonging and fellowship in the department.”

Dr Chang had also previously discussed the possibility of donating his body to UNLV for research purposes. While UNLV does not accept such donations, his body will be reportedly utilised by another institution.

Two officers injured in shooting identified

Saturday 9 December 2023 00:44 , Mike Bedigan

The two officers involved in the shooting were named at the press conference as Detective Nathanial Drum and Officer Damian Garcia.

Adam Garcia, police chief for the University Police Services Southern Command described the men as “heroes”.

“They kept the worst from becoming a bloodbath,” Mr Garcia said.

“The collective response and actions of our other initial responding officers LVPD metro or many regional agencies no doubt saved lives as well. Their swift response and exceptional courage were pivotal in neutralising this threat and undoubtedly prevented further harm to our community.

“I want to express with a deepest gratitude to both officer Garcia and Detective Drumm who, combined, bring over 40 years of law enforcement experience to our department.

“Their dedication to this community is unwavering.”

Detective Drum has been employed with UPS since 2017 and is assigned to the detective bureau at our central area command. Officer Garcia has been employed with UPS since 2018.

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the review of the incident.

What we know about the UNLV shooting

Saturday 9 December 2023 01:45 , Mike Bedigan

While authorities reassured the commmuntity that there was ‘no further threat,’ many questions still remain, largely to do with the shooter and their motive.

Here’s what we know.

What we know about the UNLV shooting

Who were the victims of the UNLV attack?

Saturday 9 December 2023 03:00 , Mike Bedigan

All three of the victims who died in Wednesday’s attack have now been identified, with tributes paid by colleagues at a press conference on Friday.

The two police officers who were also injured during the incident have also been named. They were described as “heroes” by University Police Services chief Adam Garcia.

First victims in UNLV mass shooting identified

Police still investigating motive of UNLV shooting

Saturday 9 December 2023 03:30 , Namita Singh

Las Vegas police are still trying to understand what led Anthony Polito, a longtime business professor in North Carolina, to the University of Nevada campus on Wednesday.

Three faculty members died and another was critically injured when a lone gunman walked on to campus and opened fire in the building housing the business school.

The shooting stoked fear on the 30,000-student campus just miles from the Las Vegas Strip where the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history led to the deaths of 60 people on 1 October 2017.

Will students return to campus in the coming days?

Saturday 9 December 2023 04:00 , Mike Bedigan

On Wednesday, Adam Garcia, from the University Police Services – Southern Command, said that all higher education campuses in southern Nevada would be closed following the incident out of “an abundance of caution”.

Mr Garcia did not immediately say when the campuses would reopen, but it was later confirmed that they would remain closed on Thursday and Friday.

On Friday, Keith Whitfield, president of UNLV said that all in-person, on campus final exams – due to take place next week – would be cancelled.

“We are providing flexibility for faculty and instructors – as well as students – to bring this semester to a positive end,” a statement from Mr Whitfield read.

Faculty and staff have been advised to work remotely through the end of the calendar year, with some exceptions.

Students will end the semester with the grade they have earned based on work completed before December 6, though some faculty may opt to offer an optional online final exam or take-home project before December 18, allowing students an opportunity to improve their grade.

One UNLV student told ABC News he was unsure if many would want to return to the campus immediately following the incident.

“Thank gosh, it’s near the end of semester so we can have a month off for people to recover and hopefully we can grieve about this and come together as a community to pass this and go into next semester, but I don’t know I’m super nervous, I’m nervous about next semester,” he said.

UNLV school officials cancel classes, finals

Saturday 9 December 2023 04:30 , Namita Singh

Final exams and the last week of in-person classes this semester at the University of Nevada have been cancelled. University president Keith Whitfield told students and staff on Friday that students’ final grades will be based on work completed before the shooting on Wednesday.

He cited the loss of the faculty members and the physical and emotional trauma the university has endured.

"What our university has endured on Dec. 6 is nothing short of life-changing. We will not ever forget that day," he said at a news conference late on Friday.

Mr Whitfield set the 18 December deadline for students to take optional online final exams or complete take-home tests to improve their grades. Commencement ceremonies are still scheduled for 19-20 December.

The five-story building where the shooting happened remained closed on Friday.

In pictures: Aftermath of UNLV shooting

Saturday 9 December 2023 05:00 , Mike Bedigan

Recorded 911 calls underscore real time terror of the deadly Las Vegas University shooting

Saturday 9 December 2023 05:30 , Namita Singh

Fire alarms blared in the background of 911 calls that police released on Friday, amplifying the terrified voices of students and faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as they hid inside locked offices and under desks while a gunman fired shots outside, killing three professors.

“Someone’s shooting. Please hurry,” said one woman caller, her voice cracking with fear as she described the shots as sounding like they were next door.

“I really want to go home.”Several of the over three dozen calls to 911 were from family members of students or faculty on campus. One woman called after hearing from her daughter about an active shooter. She described her daughter as hyperventilating and crying.“

She just called me and she can’t even breathe. Can you call her back or something? Can you investigate,” the woman pleaded.

Polito carried 9mm legally purchased handgun along with target list

Saturday 9 December 2023 06:00 , Namita Singh

The gunman, 67-year-old Anthony Polito, walked into UNLV’s business school around lunchtime on Wednesday and fired shots as he roamed the top three floors, where faculty offices are located, police said.

Along with the three people who were killed, a 38-year-old visiting professor was wounded and hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

After police killed Polito in a shootout, he was found to be carrying nine magazines for a 9 mm handgun he’d legally purchased last year and a list of targets at the school — although none of the people shot was on that list, police said.

Police still had no motive for Wednesday’s attack but said the shooter, who was a career college professor, had been denied a job at various Nevada colleges and universities and appeared to be struggling financially.

Polito arrived at UNLV in a 2007 Lexus that he parked in a lot south of the business school about 15 minutes before the shooting, said Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill. After leaving the car, he placed loaded magazines in his waistband and entered the business school at 11.33am. The first reports of gunfire came at 11.45am.

University hails law enforcement efforts

Saturday 9 December 2023 06:30 , Namita Singh

University officials praised the efforts of law enforcement and paid tribute to their fallen colleagues at a news conference last evening.

Two university police officers, Detective Nathaniel Drum and Officer Damian Garcia, killed Polito after he opened fire on them outside of the business school. Both have been placed on administrative leave, which is routine practice while the shooting is reviewed, University Police Chief Adam Garcia said.“In a word, these two officers are heroes.

They kept the worst from becoming a bloodbath,” the chief said.

Watch: LeBron James reacts to UNLV shooting, calling inaction on gun control ‘ridiculous’

Saturday 9 December 2023 07:00 , Mike Bedigan

‘Shooter may have intended to fire on student union’

Saturday 9 December 2023 07:30 , Namita Singh

It’s unclear how many shots Anthony Polito fired, but the sheriff said he brought more than 150 rounds of ammunition with him.

Given that number of rounds, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said Polito may have intended to fire on the student union next to the business school, where students were gathered, eating and playing games.

Polito also was carrying what McMahill described as a “target list” of faculty members both from UNLV and from East Carolina University in North Carolina, where Polito taught at the business school from 2001 to 2017.

He resigned from East Carolina as a tenured associate professor, the university said.

Polito ‘obsessive about anonymous student reviews’

Saturday 9 December 2023 08:00 , Namita Singh

Gunman Anthony Polito’s employment record at East Carolina did not include any disciplinary actions or red flags, according to a law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the investigation.

He had lived in the Las Vegas area since at least 2018.

Roseman University of Health Sciences in Henderson, Nevada, said Polito had an adjunct faculty contract and taught two courses in the school’s Master of Business Administration programme from October 2018 to June 2022. He left when the programme was discontinued, said Jason Roth, a school spokesperson.

A former student at East Carolina, Paul Whittington, said Polito often talked about his regular trips to Las Vegas. He also seemed obsessive about anonymous student reviews, Mr Whittington said.

“He always talked about the negative feedback he got,” said Mr Whittington, now 33, who took an introductory course in operations management with Polito in 2014.

“He didn’t get a lot of it, but there would always be one student every semester, or at least one student every class, that would give a negative review.”

‘Incredibly dedicated to her students’: Third victim of UNLV shooting named

Saturday 9 December 2023 08:30 , Namita Singh

The third victim killed in Wednesday’s shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has been named.

Dr Naoko Takemaru, an associate professor in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, was identified after her next of kin were informed by the coroner’s office, UNLV president Keith Whitfield said in a statement.

“With sadness, I write to you to mourn the tragic passing of Dr Naoko Takemaru, who this morning was confirmed to be among the three UNLV faculty members who lost their lives during Wednesday’s shooting,” Mr Whitfield said on Friday.

“Earlier today, the coroner’s office shared Dr Takemaru’s name following the notification of her next of kin.”

My colleague Mike Bedigan has more:

‘Incredibly dedicated to her students’: Third victim of UNLV shooting named

Revealed: UNLV shooter’s ‘obsession’ with Las Vegas and student reviews

Saturday 9 December 2023 09:00 , Mike Bedigan

The gunman who killed three people in a shooting spree at the University of Nevada’s Las Vegas campus on Wednesday had an “obsession” with Sin City and was considered “eccentric” by his students.

Martha McHardy has the full story.

Revealed: UNLV shooter’s ‘obsession’ with Las Vegas and student reviews

What we know about the UNLV shooting

Saturday 9 December 2023 09:30 , Namita Singh

While authorities reassured the commmuntity that there was ‘no further threat,’ many questions still remain, largely to do with the shooter and their motive. Mike Bedigan looks at what we know so far:

What we know about the UNLV shooting

New video shows UNLV shooting suspect moments after three professors killed

Saturday 9 December 2023 10:00 , Namita Singh

Police have released footage of UNLV shooter Anthony Polito after his deadly rampage on the university on Wednesday.

The video shows the gunman being taken down by officers just outside the campus where he is believed to have killed three faculty members and injured another on Wednesday.

A woman who police say they believe to be a professor is also seen in the footage running away from the suspect.

Anthony Polito, 67, was named by police as the suspect in the shooting which ended with his own death.

My colleague Martha McHardy has more:

New video shows UNLV shooting suspect moments after three professors killed

Female student ‘felt preyed’ on by UNLV shooter

Saturday 9 December 2023 11:00 , Mike Bedigan

A woman who was taught by the UNLV shooter Anthony Polito said she “felt preyed” on while taking a course taught by the college professor during her senior year in 2012.

The woman, who asked not to be identified, told NBC that what began as a mentor-mentee relationship escalated into his pursuing her in a way that made her uncomfortable.

“I initially brought my résumé and my cover letters and stuff, like, just for him to review, but it just slowly became apparent that it was not as innocent,” she told the outlet.

The woman said Polito would try to have contact with her every day for nearly the entire semester, through emails and texting. She added that Polito also bought her gifts and eventually invited her to Las Vegas.

“I think that’s about when I was like ‘I have to cut this man off because he got the wrong idea,’” she said, noting that she was in her early 20s and that Polito not only was her professor but also much older than her.

“I felt preyed upon,” she said.

The woman told NBC that Polito never touched her inapproprately or acted out after she ended communication with him, and had never thought to report him because he was well-respected on campus.

“It was just so bizarre,” she said, adding that she was surprised that Polito had been accussed of Wednesday’s shooting.

All in-person final exams at UNLV cancelled

Saturday 9 December 2023 13:00 , Mike Bedigan

All in-person, on campus final exams at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas have been cancelled, president Keith Whitfield has announced.

Prior to Wednesday’s tragic events, the exams had been scheduled to take place next week.

“We are providing flexibility for faculty and instructors – as well as students – to bring this semester to a positive end,” a statement from Mr Whitfield read.

Students will end the semester with the grade they have earned based on work completed before December 6, though some faculty may opt to offer an optional online final exam or take-home project before December 18, allowing students an opportunity to improve their grade.

UNLV shooter was ‘struggling financially’ before shooting

Saturday 9 December 2023 14:00 , Mike Bedigan

UNLV gunman Anthony Polito was “struggling financially” before the shooting in which he is believed to have killed three faculty members and injured another, police said.

Anthony Polito, 67, was named by police as the suspect on Thursday in the shooting which ended with his own death.

Law enforcement sources said Polito had unsuccessfully applied for a college professorship at UNLV sometime prior to embarking on the deadly rampage.

Meanwhile, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department chief Kevin McMahill added that Polito was “struggling financially” at the time before the shooting, as evidenced by an eviction notice taped to his door when authorities executed a search warrant.

Third victim of UNLV shooting named

Saturday 9 December 2023 15:00 , Mike Bedigan

The third victim who was killed in Wednesday’s shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has been named as Dr Naoko Takemaru.

Dr Takemaru was named after her next of kin were informed by the coroner’s office, UNLV president Keith Whitfield said in a statement on Friday.

“With sadness, I write to you to mourn the tragic passing of Dr Naoko Takemaru, who this morning was confirmed to be among the three UNLV faculty members who lost their lives during Wednesday’s shooting,” Mr Whitfield said.

“Earlier today, the coroner’s office shared Dr. Takemaru’s name following the notification of her next of kin.”

Third victim of shooting had been at UNLV for 20 years

Saturday 9 December 2023 15:30 , Mike Bedigan

Dr Naoko Takemaru recently marked her 20th year as a member of UNLV’s faculty, according to college president Keith Whitfield.

An associate professor in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, she was a noted scholar, author, and award-winning educator

Dr Takemaru coordinated Japanese language programs and taught numerous courses on Japanese culture, business, and language at UNLV and “was incredibly dedicated to her students,” Mr Whitfield said.

“We grieve for her family, friends, students, and colleagues. We honor her memory, alongside those of Lee Business School professors Dr Patricia Navarro-Velez and Dr Jerry Chang, who also perished as a result of Wednesday’s tragedy. Another UNLV faculty member remains hospitalized this morning, and we are collectively pulling for their recovery,” a statement read.

Mr Whitfield’s statement continued: “Processing the loss of three cherished UNLV faculty members is horrendously difficult, but we are heartened by memories of them and their remarkable and lasting impact on our university, on their students, and within their professions.”

UNLV shooting suspect captured on video after deadly rampage

Saturday 9 December 2023 16:00 , Mike Bedigan

Police have released footage of UNLV shooter Anthony Polito after his deadly rampage on the university.

The video shows the gunman being taken down by officers just outside the campus where he’s believed to have killed three faculty members on Wednesday and injured another.

A woman who police say they believe to be a professor is also seen in the footage running away from the suspect.

How bad is US gun violence?

Saturday 9 December 2023 17:00 , Mike Bedigan

According to analysis by CNN, Wednesday’s shooting at UNLV marks the 80th US school shooting this year.

Of those, 51 shootings have been reported on K-12 campuses and 29 on university and college campuses, according to the outlet. This figure includes the latest shooting in Las Vegas on the UNLV campus.

In his remarks, Mr Biden highlighted that in 2023 the country had experienced more than 600 mass shootings, and approximately 40,000 deaths due to gun violence.

“This is not normal, and we can never let it become normal,” he said.

Finals cancelled in wake of UNLV campus shooting

Saturday 9 December 2023 17:30 , Andrea Cavallier

In the wake of the UNLV campus shooting, in-person finals were cancelled, a relief to many.

But faculty and students will have flexibility to decide how to end the semester. There will be optional online finals and take home projects, otherwise students will earn a grade based on their work before 6 December – the day of the shooting.

The decision came after students sent a letter to university leaders, asking them to cancel classes for the remainder of the semester and to move finals online or cancel them.

The letter urged the university “to show grace during this time, allowing for extensions on all assignments and attendance as no student should be forced back onto campus in the coming weeks.” A petition calling for the cancellation of classes also generated thousands of signatures.

Some students told the Los Angeles Times that classes just didn’t seem that important right now. Or that they felt they needed to be home with their families.

Yet, others were grateful the university did not cancel winter graduation ceremonies, which will go on as scheduled December 19 and 20.

Who were the victims of the UNLV campus shooting?

Saturday 9 December 2023 19:30 , Andrea Cavallier

All four of the victims were faculty members at the UNLV, the college’s president Keith Whitfield has confirmed.

One of the victims was 39-year-old assistant professor Patricia Navarro-Velez, from Las Vegas.

Dr Navarro-Velez was an assistant professor of accounting and had “devoted her career to educating the next generation of accountants.”

Dr Cha Jan Chang, 64, was known as “Jerry” by friends and colleagues.

Dr Chang was a longtime educator of management information systems, who had spent more than 20 years of his academic career teaching a generation of UNLV Lee Business School students, said college president Kevin Whitfield.

Both died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Clark County coroner.

On Friday, the third victim was named after her next of kin were informed by the coroner’s office.

Dr Naoko Takemaru, an associate professor in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, was a noted scholar, author, and award-winning educator.

Three victims killed in UNLV mass shooting identified

Shooter’s former student recalls his obsessive behavior

Saturday 9 December 2023 21:00 , Andrea Cavallier

One of Polito’s former students at East Carolina, Paul Whittington, said Polito seemed obsessive over anonymous student reviews at the end of each semester, The Associated Press reported.

Polito told Whittington’s class that he remembered the faces of students who gave him bad reviews and would express that he was sure who they were and where they sat, pointing at seats in the classroom, Whittington said.

“He always talked about the negative feedback he got,” said Whittington, now 33, who took Polito’s intro to operations management class in 2014.

“He didn’t get a lot of it, but there would always be one student every semester, or at least one student every class, that would give a negative review. And he fixated on those.”

Who is Anthony Polito? UNLV shooter claimed to have solved the Zodiac Killer case

Saturday 9 December 2023 22:00 , Andrea Cavallier

The suspected school shooter has been identified in multiple media reports as Anthony Polito, 67, a career college professor who had applied for – but failed to be accepted for – a job at the school.

Polito had reportedly unsuccessfully applied for a college professorship at UNLV sometime prior to embarking on the deadly rampage.

He also previously worked as a professor at colleges in Georgia and North Carolina, and kept a personal website where he proudly documented his academic achievements – and claimed to have solved the Zodiac Killer case.

On Polito’s LinkedIn page, which had been changed to a “remembrance” page in the aftermath of the shooting, he described himself as a semi-retired university professor living in Las Vegas.

The short bio spoke of his fondness at the “kind & positive comments” from students he had taught over the years.

Read more:

Who is Anthony Polito? College professor accused of deadly UNLV shooting

Officers who stopped shooting from becoming ‘bloodbath’ described as ‘heroes’

Saturday 9 December 2023 23:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Two officers were also injured during searches for students hiding in the “vast rooms and buildings” on the university campus.

On Friday they were named at the press conference as Detective Nathanial Drum and Officer Damian Garcia.

Adam Garcia, police chief for the University Police Services Southern Command described the men as “heroes”. “They kept the worst from becoming a bloodbath,” Mr Garcia said.

“I want to express with a deepest gratitude to both officer Garcia and Detective Drumm who, combined, bring over 40 years of law enforcement experience to our department. Their dedication to this community is unwavering.”

Detective Drum has been employed with UPS since 2017 and is assigned to the detective bureau at our central area command. Officer Garcia has been employed with UPS since 2018.

Las Vegas Strip marquees light up with #UNLVStrong after shooting

Sunday 10 December 2023 00:00 , Andrea Cavallier