Mass Shooting at UNLV Campus Leaves Three Dead, One Wounded
In a tragic incident on Wednesday, a mass shooting occurred on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus, resulting in three fatalities and one person wounded. The gunman, identified as a 67-year-old career college professor with past associations to colleges in Georgia and North Carolina, was involved in the shooting, according to a law enforcement source. The connection of the shooter to UNLV, where the shooting took place, remains unclear.
Las Vegas Metro Sheriff Kevin McMahill, in a news conference, stated that the shooter's identity would not be disclosed until family notification. The incident unfolded outside Beam Hall, where a student gathering was taking place. Sheriff McMahill commended the quick response of campus police, noting that their actions prevented further loss of life.
The shooting, which caused panic and resulted in four additional individuals being hospitalized, occurred during a crucial time for students, amidst study week and just before final exams and winter break. This incident adds to the grim history of Las Vegas, which experienced the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history in 2017.
The response to the shooting was swift, with police arriving shortly before noon following reports of the incident near Beam Hall, the home of UNLV’s Lee Business School. The university promptly issued an emergency notice, advising students and staff to evacuate or shelter in place. The shelter-in-place order was lifted around 7:30 p.m., confirming that there was no longer an active threat on campus.
Eyewitness accounts from students highlighted the confusion and fear during the incident. One student described hearing loud booms and witnessing the rapid arrival of police. Another, Brett Johnsen, recounted the moment of realization in his class in Beam Hall when an unusual alarm prompted evacuation, turning to panic as the situation outside became evident.
UNLV President Keith Whitfield expressed his condolences and shock at the “unfathomable event,” mourning the loss and injuries suffered. He acknowledged the deep impact on the campus community, students, faculty, staff, and the broader circle of families and community members affected by the tragedy.
The investigation into the shooting, including the motive and circumstances, is ongoing. This incident underscores the continuing issue of gun violence in educational settings, raising concerns about campus safety and the need for effective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.