UNLV shooting suspect Anthony Polito had ‘target list’ before attack: Live
The gunman identified by police as the man responsible for Wednesday’s shooting at the University of Nevada‘s Las Vegas campus had a “target list”, according to law enforcement.
Police say everyone on the “target list” has been contacted except for one person who is travelling internationally.
“None of the individuals on the target list became a victim,” Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said yesterday.
The suspect identified by police as 67-year-old Anthony Polito also sent 22 letters “to various University personnel across the country” with no return address, prior to the attack.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said that the first letter to be intercepted by investigators contained “an unknown white powder” and urged anyone who had received such mail to contact authorities.
At a press conference on Thursday, the gunman was identified as 67-year-old Anthony Polito – a career college professor who had applied for – but failed to be accepted for – a job at the school.
Two of the victims of the shooting were also identified as professor Cha Jan Chang, 64, known as “Jerry,” and assistant professor Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, of Las Vegas.
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
Gunman previously claimed to have solved the Zodiac Killer case
Two shooting victims identified by officials
UNLV shooting suspect had ‘target list’ of people before deadly attack
10:40 , Rachel Sharp
The suspected gunman who fatally shot three faculty members at the University of Nevada‘s Las Vegas campus had a “target list”, according to the police.
All individuals on the “target list” have been reached, except for one person currently travelling abroad, police said.
“None of the individuals on the target list became a victim,” Clark County sheriff Kevin McMahill said on Thursday.
The suspect, who has now been publicly identified by police, was killed during a shoot-out with officers shortly after the attack began.
Read the full story:
UNLV shooting suspect had ‘target list’ of people before deadly attack
Three dead after shooting at Las Vegas college campus
10:00 , Mike Bedigan
Three people are dead and one victim remains hospitalised in stable condition after a shooting on a Las Vegas college campus.
Police said that the suspected gunman – now identified as 67-year-old Anthony Polito – was killed by responding officers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas after the shooting on Wednesday.
Graeme Massie has the story:
Three killed after ‘professor’ goes on Nevada college shooting rampage
White powder sent to universities by UNLV shooter ‘harmless,’ say police
09:28 , Martha Mchardy
The white powder found in letters sent to 22 universities by the college professor who opened fire at a Las Vegas college campus was “harmless,” police have said.
Anthony Polito sent 22 letters “to various University personnel across the country,” at least one of which contained “an unknown white powder” prior to the shooting which saw three people killed and one injured.
The letters were sent with “with no return address,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department chief Kevin McMahill told a press conference on Thursday.
While it is still unclear what exactly the white substance was, police have confirmed it was “harmless.”
“The white powder found inside envelopes mailed by the UNLV shooter was found to be harmless,” LVMPD said in a post on X.
Police are still working to establish a motive for the attacks.
Las Vegas campus shooter sent ‘white powder’ letters to 22 universities
08:45 , Mike Bedigan
Anthony Polito, 67, visited a post office in nearby Henderson on Wednesday morning and sent the letters “with no return address”, according to law enforcement.
Read the full story here:
Las Vegas campus shooter sent ‘white powder’ letters to 22 universities
Gunman previously claimed to have solved the Zodiac Killer case
07:00 , Mike Bedigan
The gunman who shot and killed three people and injured another at the UNLV campus on Wednesday has been identified as 67-year-old college professor Anthony Polito.
The sources said Polito had 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 a section of the website titled “Theories Regarding Various Mysteries & Puzzles”, he shared a 15-page article – dated 2014 – in which he claimed he had cracked the secret of the identity of the infamous Zodiac Killer, who terrorised Northern California in the late 1960s and taunted police with codes.
In asserting his apparent solving of the case, Polito insisted he was not “a total crackpot” or a “dumb guy” but had used his MENSA skills to reach his conclusion.
“Just so you won’t initially write off my solution as that of a total crackpot, let me first say that I have been a member of MENSA for 35 years, I hold a double undergraduate degree in Mathematics & Statistics (two skills closely associated with successful cryptographers) … and I hold a masters degree and a doctoral degree from top-tier universities as well. So I am not a dumb guy!” he wrote.
“To be fair, I must state that I do NOT have any special expertise or experience in the field of cryptography, only a general and basic knowledge of it … and neither am I an expert or especially accomplished mathematician and/or statistician.”
‘My heart aches for our UNLV family’ – college president
05:00 , Mike Bedigan
“Today is a tragic day for UNLV. We're all still in shock as we process the unfathomable event. Members of our community lost their lives and others were injured. My heart aches for our UNLV family.” Message from President Keith Whitfield. Read more: https://t.co/bJfcqoJpVk pic.twitter.com/UXUVHOouDx
— UNLV (@unlv) December 7, 2023
Former professor had a ‘target list’
04:26 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The suspect, a former college professor, was facing financial difficulties and reportedly had a “target list”, according to law enforcement.
The 67-year-old suspect was fatally shot by police during the incident at the University of Nevada on Wednesday.
Authorities suggested that the motive behind the shooting may have been the suspect’s frustration over being rejected for several job opportunities at different colleges.
Police say everyone on the “target list” has been contacted except for one person who is travelling internationally.“None of the individuals on the target list became a victim,” Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said yesterday.
Watch: Former college professor kills three on Las Vegas campus
04:00 , Mike Bedigan
Local cheerleading gym pays tribute to victim of shooting
02:45 , Mike Bedigan
A local cheer-leading gym appeared to pay tribute to Patricia Navarro who, according to US media, has been named as one of the victims of Wednesday’s shooting.
A post by the California Allstars gym in Las Vegas sent “deepest condolences” to the “Navarro family”.
“Our hearts are shattered as we share the devastating news of the loss of a beloved member of our Cali family in yesterday’s senseless shooting,” the Instagram post read.
“Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to the Navarro family at this unimaginably difficult time. Deliana, we love you and surround you with so much love and support.”
First victims in UNLV mass shooting identified
02:15 , 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 pays tribute to identified shooting victims
01:45 , Mike Bedigan
Keith Whitfield, president of UNLV said he was heartbroken by the “senseless act of violence” that had resulted in the death of three faculty members.
Dr Patricia Navarro-Velez was an assistant professor of accounting and had “devoted her career to educating the next generation of accountants”, he said.
She joined UNLV nearly five years ago as a professor of accounting, where she primarily focused on teaching accounting information systems.
Dr Cha Jan “Jerry” 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.
“My heart breaks for the families, friends, and loved ones of Dr. Navarro and Dr. Chang, and for all of the victims of this senseless act of violence that has physically and emotionally affected so many,” Mr Whitfield said.
“The incredible outpouring of love, support, and concern directed to UNLV and our students and staff over the last 24 hours provides great comfort during this trying time.
“What students, employees, and campus visitors endured yesterday during the shooting and the tense aftermath is life-changing. I again thank everyone for taking the call to shelter in place seriously.
“It was imperative for law enforcement to clear every room in every building on our campus to ensure continued safety, and I’m grateful for the immense courage and cooperation you all showed.”
All four victims of UVLN shooting were faculty members, college confirms
Thursday 7 December 2023 23:34 , Graeme Massie
All four of the victims involved in Wednesday’s shooting were faculty members at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the college’s president has confirmed.
In a statement, Keith E Whitfield, said that it had been “the most difficult day in the history of our university”.
“Words are still hard to come by as we’re only beginning to process the grief, loss, anger, and fear associated with Wednesday’s tragic campus shooting that took the lives of three of our cherished faculty members. Another faculty member remains hospitalized.”
Mr Whitfield confirmed the identities of two of the victims as Patricia Navarro-Velez and Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang and that they were members of the Lee Business School faculty.
The third victim, also a UNLV faculty member, will be identified following notification of next of kin, he said.
Police report multiple casualties and suspect dead in Las Vegas: ‘There is no further threat’
Thursday 7 December 2023 23:00 , Mike Bedigan
Suspect sent 22 letters to various universities before shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 22:22 , Mike Bedigan
At the press conference, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said that prior to the shooting at the Las Vegas campus, the suspect – Anthony Polito – had visited a Henderson post office and sent 22 letters “to various University personnel across the country” with no return address.
“We are currently working with the postal inspector and our federal partners to begin processing these letters. We do not know the contents of these letters and we’re working to contact the recipients of those letters,” he said.
Mr McMahill continued: “In the screening of those envelopes that we were able to intercept, after going through 14,000 pieces of mail and identifying the 22 that were sent, the first letter that we opened had a unknown white powder substance in it.
“Our armor unit, detectives are out currently processing those envelopes and what we’re asking is that if anybody in the education world receives a letter with a no return address that is taped, we asked you to proceed with caution and contact your local authorities.
“Have particular attention from the ones that have been addressed are those that Carolina and UNLV.”
Mr McMahill added that a document “similar to a last weill and testament” was found at Polito’s residence in Henderson.
Still no motive for Las Vegas shooting known
Thursday 7 December 2023 22:17 , Mike Bedigan
Sheriff Kevin McMahill said that police were still trying to understand Polito’s motive for the shooting.
“I want to stress that we’re still learning a lot about this suspect is still trying to understand motive. We know he applied numerous times for a job with several Nevada higher education institutions, and was denied, each time he was rejected,” he said.
He added that the suspect had “a list of people he was seeking on a university campus” as well as faculty from the Eastern Carolina University.
“We have contacted almost everyone on those lists to make sure that they are all right. We have done that for all of UNLV and all of Eastern Carolina with the exception of one individual who is on an international flight,” Mr McMahill told a press conference.
He said 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.
“We believe the suspect acted alone and we have zero indication of any other suspects at this time,” Mr McMahill said.
Police confirm identity of Las Vegas campus shooter
Thursday 7 December 2023 22:08 , Mike Bedigan
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed the identity of the shooter as 67-year-old Anthony James Polito, from Henderson, Nevada.
According to Mr McMahill 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.
Mr McMahill said nine loaded magazines were found on his person.
Two victims of UNLV shooting identified by coroner
Thursday 7 December 2023 21:03 , Mike Bedigan
The first two victims of Wednesday’s UNLV shooting have been identified.
On Thursday afternoon, the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner released the names of two of the deceased, according to Fox 5.
The first was Professor Cha Jan Chang, 64, known as “Jerry,” of Henderson. The second victim identified is Assistant Professor Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, of Las Vegas.
The manner of death for both victims was homicide due to a gunshot wound to the head.
The third victim has also been identified but the coroner’s office is still working to identify next of kin, Fox 5 reported.
Biden condemns ‘yet another act of senseless gun violence'
Thursday 7 December 2023 19:23 , Mike Bedigan
A statement shared by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, said: “The President and the First Lady grieve the three lives lost at UNLV yesterday in yet another act of senseless gun violence.
“Our thoughts are with those who survived this incident and are and are undoubtedly traumatised by this horrific event, including one survivor who sustained critical injuries and for the brave law enforcement officers who ran towards danger and prevented further loss of life.”
Ms Jean-Pierre added: “I also want to note that less than 24 hours ago I stood at this same podium as we mourn the six lives lost in San Antonio, and here we are again today.
“When the President talks about ending the epidemic gun violence, this is what he’s talking about.
“From Las Vegas, to Texas, to Memphis, to Maine. When will it be enough? We are in crisis and we cannot continue to live like this.
“As the president said, Republican lawmakers must join Democrats in Congress to advance common sense measures to protect Americans from gun violence. Literally every day we wait becomes another day too late.”
Watch: White House grieves three killed in ‘senseless’ UNLV mass shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 19:05 , Mike Bedigan
Federal officials on the ground to support Vegas law enforcement
Thursday 7 December 2023 18:54 , Mike Bedigan
Federal officials are on the ground in Las vegas supporting local response efforts and providing all necessary assistance, following Wednesday’s shooting, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said.
The newly established office of gun violence prevention is also coordinating federal resources to help the community recover from the tragedy.
“We know it’s not just the victims and survivors who need support, but this violence rips apart, entire communities,” Ms Jean-Pierre said.
‘It looked like every single cop in Las Vegas was at UNLV’
Thursday 7 December 2023 18:42 , Mike Bedigan
Brett Johnsen, a student attending class at UNLV when the shooting occurred, said his professor had stopped mid-lecture after hearing a loud noise, but then continued unaware of what was unfolding.
“Then an alarm came on,” Mr Johnsen told CNN. “I’ve never heard an alarm like that before, it didn’t sound like a fire alarm,”
He added that things “began to get real” when the students left the room – his professor’s face turned into panic and he urged the students to get back, lock the door and get on the ground.
A few moments later, the professor opened the door to check that it was clear and advised the students to run. Mr Johnsen said he ran as fast as he could down the stairs of the building and outside as far as he could go.
He said everyone on campus was telling each other to run and evacuate. “It looked like every single cop in Las Vegas was at UNLV,” Mr Johnsen told CNN.
What we know about the UNLV shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 18:00 , Martha Mchardy
A shooting on a college campus in Las Vegas on Wednesday has left three people dead and another seriously injured.
The suspect, who has been identified by police – though not publicly – was killed during a shoot-out with officers shortly after the attack began.
Although authorities later reassured the communtity that there was “no further threat”, many questions still remain, largely to do with the shooter and their motive.
Here’s what we know so far:
Mike Bedigan reports:
What we know about the UNLV shooting
Latest pictures from UNLV campus after shooter kills 3
Thursday 7 December 2023 17:40 , Martha Mchardy
Who is Anthony Polito? The college professor who killed three in UNLV shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 17:20 , Martha Mchardy
The gunman who killed three people and wounded a fourth in a mass shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, (UNLV) has been identified in multiple media reports as a career college professor who had applied for – but failed to be accepted for – a job at the school.
Anthony Polito, 67, was named by law enforcement sources to ABC News, CNN and NBC News on Thursday morning hours after the shooting, which ended with his own death. Police still have yet to release his identity.
The sources said Polito had unsuccessfully applied for a college professorship at UNLV sometime prior to embarking on the deadly rampage.
Rachel Sharp reports:
Who is Anthony Polito? College professor accused of deadly UNLV shooting
Vehicles left on campus during shooting can now be retrieved, says UNLV
Thursday 7 December 2023 17:00 , Martha Mchardy
Vehicles that were left on campus during Wednesday’s shooting can now be retrieved, INLV has said,
In a tweet, the university said Maryland Parkway has reopened to traffic. The school also noted that there will continue to be a “strong police presence and activity on the main campus” on Thursday as the investigation into the shooting continues.
Most of the university remains closed until Monday, with staff being advised to work remotely.
Watch: LeBron James reacts to UNLV shooting, calling inaction on gun control ‘ridiculous'
Thursday 7 December 2023 16:21 , Martha Mchardy
LeBron James has slammed inaction on gun control after a shooting on the UNLV campus which saw three people killed and one injured.
During a news conference in LA ahead of the inaugural in-season tournament semifinals on Thursday, the basketball player said it was “senseless” that nothing changes when it comes to gun control in the United States.
Mr James said he had received a text message from his brother on Wednesday following news of the shooting, asking him to stay safe.
He then offered his condolences to the families and friends of the victims, before condemning the lack of firearm legislation in the country as “ridiculous”.
“It just goes back to what I said before about guns in America. I think it’s such a longer conversation, but we keep dealing with the same story, this same conversation every single time it happens, and it just continues to happen,” he said. “The ability to get a gun, the ability to do these things over and over and over, and there’s been no change is literally ridiculous. It makes no sense that we continue to lose innocent lives, on campuses, schools, at shopping markets and movie theaters and all type of stuff. It’s ridiculous.
“The fact that we haven’t changed anything - it’s actually been easier to be able to own a firearm... It’s stupid,” he continued.
Mr James has been a vocal advocate for gun control and reform for years, joining a consistent stream of voices from the NBA - including Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr - on the issue whenever mass shootings have occurred across the country pleading for the government to make changes to the nation’s gun laws.
His remarks come after the NBA released a statement about the shooting, calling it “senseless”. The league is also planning a moment of silence ahead of Thursday’s semifinals, ESPN reported.
National Finals Rodeo cancels Thursday performance after UNLV shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 16:00 , Martha Mchardy
The first performance for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Thursday night has been cancelled after a shooting on the UNLV campus which saw three people killed and one injured.
Officials from the Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Board of Directors said the cancellation was “in respect for those who lost their lives on December 6.”
They added that NFR will take a day of mourning.
“All of us are saddened by the events that occurred today,” said LVE president Tim Keener. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected. We are grateful to all of the first responders, police, security, and the UNLV community for their actions today.”
PRCA CEO Tom Glause also called the shooting a “senseless act of violence”.
“Today’s shooting on the UNLV campus was alarming and deeply troubling,” Mr Glause said. “The PRCA is grateful for the rapid, professional response from law enforcement and first responders. Our thoughts, right now, are focused on the victims.”
Additional details about event arrangements will be announced on Thursday, organizers said.
Gunman identified as 67-year-old professor Anthony Polito
Thursday 7 December 2023 15:48 , Rachel Sharp
The gunman who killed three people and wounded a fourth in a mass shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has been identified as a career college professor who had applied for – but failed to be accepted for – a job at the school, according to reports.
Law enforcement sources told The Associated Press, CNN and NBC News that the suspect is 67-year-old Anthony Polito. He had previously unsuccessfully sought a job at the school.
How bad is US gun violence?
Thursday 7 December 2023 15:40 , Martha Mchardy
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.
UNLV president issues statement following campus shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 15:20 , Martha Mchardy
UNLV president Keith Whitfield has released a statement following a shooting on campus which saw three people killed and one injured.
Mr Whitfield described the shooting as “senseless” and thanked emergency services, as well as students and staff who worked to ensure people’s safety.
“It is with the utmost sadness and grief that I am writing to you about a shooting that took place late this morning on our campus – our home,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. “We’re all still in shock as we process the unfathomable event. Members of our community lost their lives and others were injured. My heart aches for our UNLV family. I know all of us are sending our love and support to the victims, their families, and friends during this difficult time.”
He continued: “We will forever remember and honor those we have lost and who were injured. I’m grieving for the victims of today’s senseless shooting, and my heart breaks for the many students, faculty, staff, parents, loved ones, and community members who suffered through hours of painful uncertainty while officers ensured that our campus was safe and secure again.
“UNLV is strong and UNLV is resilient. Our community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni will pull together to support one another in this time of crisis. Know it’s okay not to be okay at this dark time. Ask for help if you need it. You are part of an incredible community and together we will pull through.”
The campus, about two miles from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, will remain closed on Thursday and Friday.
UNLV students ‘no longer feel safe’ on campus after shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 15:00 , 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.”
Watch: Police respond to shooting at University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus
Thursday 7 December 2023 14:40 , Martha Mchardy
Police have ’no idea on the motive’ for the shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 14:20 , Martha Mchardy
Police have “no idea on the motive” for the shooting, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sheriff, Kevin McMahill, said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“We will be conducting this investigation into the wee hours of the morning, there is no doubt,” he added.
“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.”
The shooter has not been named by police, but he has been identified as a 67-year-old college professor who had applied for – but failed to be accepted for – a job at the University of Nevada.
Police are searching the suspect’s home and have seized his cellphone and professional papers to look for possible clues as to the motive for the attack.
Joe Biden comments on shootings in Nevada and Texas
Thursday 7 December 2023 14:00 , Mike Bedigan
Here are the remarks made by president Joe Biden on Wednesday, following the shooting at a Las Vegas university:
“Yesterday, in Austin and San Antonio, at least six people were killed and several more injured by a gunman—leaving families devastated, and communities forever changed. And just hours ago, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas became the latest college campus to be terrorized by a horrific act of gun violence, and the community is still awaiting information on casualties,” he said.
“Jill and I join citizens across our nation in praying for the families of our fallen, and for those who were injured during these latest acts of senseless violence. We are also grateful for the courageous work of law enforcement—who risked their own safety to bring an end to these deadly shooting sprees. Federal law enforcement officials are on the ground working with State and local law enforcement in both states and I have directed that all necessary support be provided to assist in the investigations and support these communities.
“This year alone, our nation has 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.
“For all the action we have taken since I’ve been President, the epidemic of gun violence we face demands that we do even more. But we cannot do more without Congress. Republican lawmakers must join with Democrats in Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, pass a national red flag law, enact universal background checks, require the safe storage of guns, and advance other commonsense measures that will help stem the tide of gun violence.
“And together, we must do more to prevent more families, and more communities like Austin, San Antonio, and Las Vegas, from being ripped apart by gun violence.”
In pictures: Police respond to Las Vegas campus shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 13:20 , Mike Bedigan
Police will not officially identity suspect until next of kin are informed
Thursday 7 December 2023 13:00 , Mike Bedigan
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said on Wednesday that it has identified the suspect in the shooting at a university campus, but would not be releasing it until the families of victims have been contacted.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill, told a press conference: “I would also like to tell you that we do know the identity of the suspect in this case, but I will not be releasing his name tonight until after the next of kin notification.”
However, law enforcement sources told The Associated Press, CNN and NBC News that the suspect is 67-year-old Anthony Polito.
The identity of the three victims are also yet to be released by police.
Democratic Senator slams Republicans for blocking gun law – hours before UNLV shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 12:40 , Rachel Sharp
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has slammed Republicans for blocking the passage of a gun law – just hours before the shooting at the University of Nevada.
“Today I asked my colleagues to pass my universal firearms background checks legislation. It’s supported by 90% of Americans and would save thousands of lives. Republicans blocked it. Three hours later, another mass shooting in UNLV. This carnage is a choice,” he wrote on X.
Today I asked my colleagues to pass my universal firearms background checks legislation. It's supported by 90% of Americans and would save thousands of lives.
Republicans blocked it.
Three hours later, another mass shooting in UNLV.
This carnage is a choice. pic.twitter.com/WYLUqrGtxb— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 6, 2023
A ‘career professor’ gunman, three killed and a campus in fear: What we know about the UNLV shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 12:21 , Rachel Sharp
A shooting on a college campus in Las Vegas on Wednesday has left three people dead and another seriously injured.
The suspect, who has been identified by police – though not publicly – was killed during a shoot-out with officers shortly after the attack began.
Although authorities later 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 so far:
What we know about the UNLV shooting
IN PICTURES: Aftermath of the UNLV shooting
Thursday 7 December 2023 12:00 , Rachel Sharp
How the shooting unfolded
Thursday 7 December 2023 11:40 , Rachel Sharp
The University of Nevada shooting unfolded at around 11.45am on Wednesday morning when gunfire rung out from Beam Hall, where the college’s Lee Business School is located.
UNLV Police Chief Adam Garcia told CNN that the gunman – a professor who had tried unsuccessfully to get a job at the school – opened fire on the fourth floor of the building before moving 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.
Two university police detectives then encountered the shooter outside of Beam Hall and a shootout unfolded.
The gunman was shot dead in the exchange of gunfire.
The active shooter alert was lifted and an all-clear given around 40 minutes after the first reports of gunfire.
Las Vegas police search home connected to gunman
Thursday 7 December 2023 11:20 , Rachel Sharp
Las Vegas police are searching an apartment believed to be connected to the gunman who killed three and wounded a fourth in Wednesday’s shooting – before he was shot dead by officers.
ABC News reported that investigators were on the scene of the property in Henderson, Nevada, late on Wednesday.
Police have also seized the suspect’s cellphone and professional papers to look for possible clues as to the motive for the attack.
Three dead and one victim in critical condition after shooting at Las Vegas college campus
Thursday 7 December 2023 11:00 , Mike Bedigan
Three people are dead and one victim remains in critical condition after a shooting on a Las Vegas college campus.
The identity of the victims’ have not yet been made public. The identity of the dead suspect has also not been released by officials.
Graeme Massie has the full story:
Three dead after shooting at Las Vegas college campus
What we know about the LNVI shooting victims:
Thursday 7 December 2023 10:40 , Rachel Sharp
Three people were killed in Wednesday’s attack at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
A fourth victim was wounded and taken to hospital where they are in critical but stable condition, according to authorities.
Las Vegas police are yet to release the identities of the victims.
However, sources told ABC News that the victims were faculty or staff, and not students.
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.
WATCH: UNLV students share chilling experience
Thursday 7 December 2023 10:20 , Rachel Sharp
What we know about the UNLV shooter:
Thursday 7 December 2023 10:00 , Rachel Sharp
The gunman who killed three people and wounded a fourth in a mass shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has been identified as a career college professor who had applied for – but failed to be accepted for – a job at the school, according to reports.
Law enforcement sources told The Associated Press and CNN that the suspect is a 67-year-old professor who had unsuccessfully sought a job at the school.
The man had previously worked at East Carolina University in North Carolina.
The gunman was shot dead on the campus by responding officers.
Investigators are now searching through the gunman’s professional writings for possible clues as to the motive, according to ABC News.
