A former college professor in his 60s, identified as the gunman for the UNLV Shooting, met his end in a confrontation with the police. A victim is in stable condition at a local hospital, while the campus, situated just two miles from the renowned Las Vegas Strip, will remain closed on Thursday and Friday.
This incident adds to the alarming statistic of over 630 mass shootings in the US this year. Notably, Las Vegas witnessed the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history in 2017, where over 50 individuals lost their lives at a music festival.
Law enforcement sources, speaking to media, disclosed that the shooter had previously taught in Georgia and North Carolina. According to a press release, he had applied for a job at the school, but the police will not disclose his name until his family has been notified.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Kevin McMahill, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sheriff, stated that they currently have no information on the motive and lack details about the weapon used.
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The university first alerted the public about the incident at around 11:53 local time (19:53 GMT) via Twitter, reporting shots fired on campus. Approximately 20 minutes later, the university provided updates about shots near the Student Union building and instructed students at Beam Hall to evacuate to safety, following the “RUN-HIDE-FIGHT” protocol common in the US.
Adam Garcia, university police chief, reported that two campus officers engaged the suspect in a shootout, resulting in his death. Another victim is in stable condition, while four individuals were hospitalized for panic attacks, and two police officers received treatment for minor injuries.
A student on campus described the chaotic scene, emphasizing the uncertainty and fear among students. The university subsequently announced the evacuation of buildings, one at a time, and a ground stop was temporarily issued at the nearby Harry Reid International Airport.
President Joe Biden expressed condolences, calling the incident another act of gun violence on a college campus. He and First Lady Jill Biden are praying for the families affected. The president is scheduled to visit Las Vegas on Friday for an infrastructure event, though the White House has not confirmed any changes to his plans.
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Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman characterized the news as tragic and heart-breaking, offering prayers for everyone on campus. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo affirmed constant communication with law enforcement, the university, and emergency responders. The FBI and ATF are supporting the local police in the investigation, while a family reunification center has been established at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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Late Wednesday night, students were allowed back into their campus housing, with a strong police presence assured, as communicated by the university on Twitter.