At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a shooting occurred in which a gunman killed three faculty members and injured a fourth. The suspect has been identified as Anthony Polito, a college professor who previously applied for jobs at UNLV and East Carolina University and was in financial distress. Polito had a list of educators he wanted to target but none of them ended up being shot. The shooter used a legal .9mm handgun, and additional ammunition he brought to the scene. The rampage began in the Frank and Estella Beam Hall on campus, and all classes and activities have been canceled.
The gunman, Polito, had previously worked as a professor at East Carolina University, where he was described as an unconventional and “eccentric” educator. His students mentioned that he had an infatuation with Las Vegas. What could have motivated the shooter to attack a college campus is still under investigation. UNLV has requested that faculty and students work and attend classes remotely while the investigation continues.
Unluckily, this incident caused the National Rodeo Finals, scheduled to begin on campus, to be cancelled. The rodeo was to open at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus and run through December 16th. The shooter was killed by campus police, and other details of the incident are still emerging as the investigation continues.