Tragedy Strikes UNLV Campus: Former College Professor Identified as Gunman in Mass Shooting
Las Vegas, NV – A devastating mass shooting unfolded on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus on Wednesday, leaving three dead and one injured. Law enforcement sources revealed that the perpetrator was a 67-year-old career college professor, with ties to educational institutions in Georgia and North Carolina. However, the motive and any connection to the university where the shooting occurred remain unknown.
During a news conference on Wednesday evening, Las Vegas Metro Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed that the identity of the deceased shooter would be withheld until family notification. The incident transpired outside Beam Hall, where campus police engaged the assailant. Sheriff McMahill commended the heroic actions of a responding police officer, preventing further potential casualties.
Apart from the four gunshot victims, four individuals were hospitalized for panic attack symptoms, while two law enforcement officers sustained minor injuries during the search for victims. The wounded victim’s condition, initially critical, has been upgraded to stable.
As investigations unfold, authorities are diligently working to uncover evidence and determine the motive behind the attack. The type of weapon used by the suspect remains undisclosed.
This tragic event adds to the grim statistics of mass shootings in the United States, marking the 80th incident at a school this year alone. UNLV, situated just miles away from the infamous 2017 Route 91 Harvest music festival mass shooting, now faces the aftermath of another devastating act of violence.
The campus was in the midst of a study week before final exams and winter break when the shooting occurred. The university promptly issued emergency notices, urging students to evacuate and follow safety protocols.
Eyewitnesses recounted moments of terror as shots rang out, describing scenes of panic and confusion. A student in Beam Hall shared, “I heard three loud booms, and I was like, ‘Oh, what was that?’ Police showed up, then I ran inside.”
The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of gun violence in the United States, prompting responses from local officials, including Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and the White House, which stated it is monitoring the situation closely.
As the UNLV community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the nation once again confronts the harsh reality of gun violence within its educational institutions.
“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