Gunshots in the Frank and Estella Beam Hall (BEH) at the University of Las Vegas (UNLV), were reported at approximately 11:53 a.m. “RUN-HIDE-FIGHT” alerts were sent out to students, alerting them to shelter in place. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has reported three deceased victims and one in critical condition.

The suspect is identified as 67-year-old college professor Anthony Polito, who had applied to various Nevada universities and colleges for a job but was rejected. The lead investigative theory is that he may have been passed over for a job at UNLV. 

“When I initially saw people running my heart immediately dropped and soon after I got the text from UNLV’s police department declaring an active shooter on campus,” UNLV freshman Yusra Shafique said. “The adrenaline kicked in and I grabbed my belongings and my friends hand while we tried to flee and figure a safe place out. The next few hours were spent waiting on the police to evacuate us as we frantically heard about students being injured and possibly killed.”

For now, UNLV will be closed through Sunday, but the campus is still considering how they will operate next week, when final exams will begin. All NSHE institutions in southern Nevada also closed on December 7.

“We are currently evaluating campus operations for next week and will update faculty, staff, and students accordingly after a further assessment is made,” UNLV President Keith Whitfield said in an announcement posted on their website. “We are also working closely with law enforcement to allow faculty, staff, and students to have access to campus to pick up personal belongings and other needed items later this evening, and a notification text will be shared with the campus community.”

There is strong police presence and activity on the main campus as they continue with their investigation. UNLV posted on X, stating that students could return to their campus housing with food and other essential services being available to them. 

“The District has and will continue to deploy resources supporting our UNLV community as needed, including the CCSD Police Department personnel and counselors from our Critical Response Teams,” CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara said in a statement posted on Newsroom.

All of the victims have been named at this time; professor Cha Jan Chang, 64,  Assistant Professor Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, and Associate Professor Naoko Takemaru, 69.