Newly released video shows how police moved through UNLV campus in response to reports of shooting
Officers from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in a newly released body camera footage. The video, which was made public on Wednesday, reveals the chaotic and tense moments as police navigated through the campus in a race against time.
On December 6, police officers can be seen swiftly moving through the university’s business school amid blaring alarms. Commands were difficult to hear over the piercing sound, but one officer pointed out the presence of blood near a doorway on the fifth floor. The footage underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation that unfolded.
The shooting, which left three professors dead and one wounded, culminated in a shootout between the suspect, Anthony Polito, and the police. After fatally shooting the professors, Polito was killed outside the building. Reports of subsequent gunfire were later discovered to be the sounds of police trying to breach locked doors and ensure the safety of students.
The motive behind the shooting remains undisclosed, and police are continuing their investigation into the tragic incident. The professors who lost their lives have been identified as Naoko Takemaru, a 69-year-old author and associate professor of Japanese studies; Cha Jan Jerry Chang, a 64-year-old associate professor in the business school’s Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology department; and Patricia Navarro Velez, a 39-year-old accounting professor specializing in cybersecurity disclosures and data analytics.
The fear of multiple assailants persisted during the initial search, with reports of shooting through the wall relayed to officers. However, it was later determined that these sounds were caused by the police breaching doors and did not originate from additional shooters.
Outside the building, students were enjoying their time before final exams, completely unaware of the unfolding tragedy. The campus was subsequently locked down as law enforcement agencies converged to provide support and evacuate students to safety. Numerous buses were deployed to transport students for interviews with investigators.
Anthony Polito, a 67-year-old former teacher, had a 9mm handgun and nine ammunition magazines holding over 150 bullets with him at the time of his death, according to Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill. Polito had previously experienced financial struggles and had a target list of faculty members from UNLV and East Carolina University, where he had previously taught business.
Reflecting on the shooting, UNLV President Keith Whitfield described the incident as nothing short of life-changing. The campus observed enhanced security measures during its graduation ceremonies this week, ensuring the victims were remembered throughout the events.
The shocking events at UNLV occurred in close proximity to the Las Vegas Strip, where the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history took place, claiming the lives of 58 people. Sadly, the deaths of at least two other individuals have now been linked to that tragic attack.
The release of the body camera footage sheds light on the harrowing events that unfolded at UNLV, providing vital information for ongoing investigations. The motives behind the shooting remain unclear, but law enforcement agencies are dedicated to uncovering the truth while the university community continues to grapple with the profound impact of the incident.
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Proofread Version:
Newly released video shows how police moved through UNLV campus in response to reports of shooting
Officers from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in a newly released body camera footage. The video, which was made public on Wednesday, reveals the chaotic and tense moments as police navigated through the campus in a race against time.
On December 6, police officers can be seen swiftly moving through the university’s business school amid blaring alarms. Commands were difficult to hear over the piercing sound, but one officer pointed out the presence of blood near a doorway on the fifth floor. The footage underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation that unfolded.
The shooting, which left three professors dead and one wounded, culminated in a shootout between the suspect, Anthony Polito, and the police. After fatally shooting the professors, Polito was killed outside the building. Reports of subsequent gunfire were later discovered to be the sounds of police trying to breach locked doors and ensure the safety of students.
The motive behind the shooting remains undisclosed, and police are continuing their investigation into the tragic incident. The professors who lost their lives have been identified as Naoko Takemaru, a 69-year-old author and associate professor of Japanese studies; Cha Jan Jerry Chang, a 64-year-old associate professor in the business school’s Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology department; and Patricia Navarro Velez, a 39-year-old accounting professor specializing in cybersecurity disclosures and data analytics.
The fear of multiple assailants persisted during the initial search, with reports of shooting through the wall relayed to officers. However, it was later determined that these sounds were caused by the police breaching doors and did not originate from additional shooters.
Outside the building, students were enjoying their time before final exams, completely unaware of the unfolding tragedy. The campus was subsequently locked down as law enforcement agencies converged to provide support and evacuate students to safety. Numerous buses were deployed to transport students for interviews with investigators.
Anthony Polito, a 67-year-old former teacher, had a 9mm handgun and nine ammunition magazines holding over 150 bullets with him at the time of his death, according to Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill. Polito had previously experienced financial struggles and had a target list of faculty members from UNLV and East Carolina University, where he had previously taught business.
Reflecting on the shooting, UNLV President Keith Whitfield described the incident as nothing short of life-changing. The campus observed enhanced security measures during its graduation ceremonies this week, ensuring the victims were remembered throughout the events.
The shocking events at UNLV occurred in close proximity to the Las Vegas Strip, where the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history took place, claiming the lives of 58 people. Sadly, the deaths of at least two other individuals have now been linked to that tragic attack.
The release of the body camera footage sheds light on the harrowing events that unfolded at UNLV, providing vital information for ongoing investigations. The motives behind the shooting remain unclear, but law enforcement agencies are dedicated to uncovering the truth while the university community continues to grapple with the profound impact of the incident.
