Las Vegas, Nevada- The victims of a tragic mass shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas faced additional heartache as burglars invaded the home of one of the slain professors, Naoko Takemaru. The 69-year-old woman was one of three professors killed in the shooting on December 6.
According to reports, three individuals burglarized Takemaru’s Las Vegas residence on December 26. The burglars were aware that she lived alone and that no one would be present to stop them. Although a neighbor attempted to intervene, the burglars managed to escape with several items from the property. The police arrived to a ransacked home and found it difficult to determine what had been stolen.
The unfortunate events have added to the grief of the community, as they continue to mourn the loss of Takemaru and the other two professors, Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang and Patricia Navarro Velez. The shooter, Tony Polito, reportedly carried out the killings with a legally purchased Taurus 9mm handgun and was killed in a shootout with the police. It is believed that Polito, a former adjunct professor who had applied for multiple positions at UNLV, was motivated by rage after being passed over for employment.
As the investigation into the shooting and the burglary continues, the UNLV Foundation has established scholarships in honor of the victims. The community remains in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of these senseless crimes.
In summary, the tragedy at UNLV has taken yet another heartbreaking turn as burglars targeted the home of slain professor Naoko Takemaru, adding to the anguish of the community. The shooting, carried out by a disgruntled former professor, has left a lasting impact on the community, which now faces the additional burden of dealing with the aftermath of the burglary. The UNLV Foundation has taken steps to memorialize the victims and support the healing process.