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Three faculty members of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas were fatally shot by a gunman, who later died in a confrontation with the police. The incident occurred at the university’s Lee Business School on Wednesday, before noon. According to law enforcement sources, students were not the intended targets of the attack.

During the terrifying ordeal, students and staff sought refuge in classrooms and dormitories while the assailant moved through the business school, particularly targeting the fourth floor where the accounting and marketing departments’ offices are situated. A fourth faculty member was critically injured in the incident.

The university, through a statement released on Thursday on X (formerly known as Twitter), confirmed that all the casualties were faculty members. Among the deceased were business school professors Patricia Navarro-Velez and Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang. The identity of the third victim, also a faculty member, is withheld pending family notification. Another faculty member remains hospitalized.

The Debate on Gun Ownership in America

The right to gun ownership in the United States has been a contentious issue, often linked to increasing incidents of violence that impinge on other fundamental rights. Courts in the U.S. have increasingly adopted a more absolute interpretation of the Second Amendment, contributing to the widespread distribution of firearms. With nearly 400 million guns in civilian hands, the country has seen numerous mass shootings, raising concerns over the safety of public spaces, including places of worship, schools, and general pursuit of happiness.

About the Victims

Dr. Patricia Navarro, 39, an accounting professor, was involved in research on cybersecurity disclosures and data analytics. Her colleague, Chang, 64, an associate professor in the Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology department, had been with UNLV since 2001. Chang held degrees from Taiwan, Central Michigan University, Texas A&M University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

The Attacker: A Failed Job Applicant

The attacker, not yet officially named by authorities, was reportedly a former business professor who had previously applied for a position at UNLV unsuccessfully. Identified as Anthony Polito, 67, by law enforcement sources, he had a tenure at East Carolina University from 2001 to 2017. Investigations led officers to search an apartment in Henderson, Nevada, retrieving several electronic devices, including Polito’s cellphone.

The Community’s Response

The attack has rekindled painful memories of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, the deadliest in modern U.S. history. The rapid response of the authorities, informed by previous experiences, was crucial in preventing further casualties. The university community, including students and faculty, was deeply shaken by the event, with many expressing their shock and distress.

Classes at UNLV were suspended through Friday, and the university’s basketball game at the University of Dayton was also canceled in the wake of the shooting.

[The rest of the report involves contributions from various journalists covering different aspects of the incident and its aftermath.]

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• University of Nevada, Las Vegas
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