Las Vegas — A tragic shooting unfolded at the University of Nevada Las Vegas in December when a former professor, who had previously been denied a position at the institution, opened fire, leaving three faculty members dead. The assailant, 67-year-old Anthony Polito, suffered multiple gunshot wounds in a police shootout that ultimately ended his life.
According to the Clark County coroner’s report, Polito had narcotics including oxycodone, a powerful painkiller, and tadalafil, a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction, in his system at the time of the attack. These findings add a layer of complexity to the shooter’s psychological state prior to the incident.
Polito, who had an extensive academic career at East Carolina University, had made previous attempts to join UNLV’s faculty, facing rejection each time. Disgruntled, he targeted the Lee Business School where he fatally shot Dr. Jerry Cha-Jan Chang, Dr. Patricia Navarro Velez, and Dr. Naoko Takemaru of the College of Liberal Arts. A fourth individual was injured in the attack.
At the scene, police discovered an index card on Polito, which listed additional names and room numbers, indicating potential further targets. This chilling detail suggests that the attack could have escalated further had law enforcement not intervened.
Before his tenure at UNLV, Polito’s professional life was marred by controversy. He resigned from his position as an associate professor at East Carolina University in 2017 following allegations from students who claimed he made inappropriate remarks. His history of professional instability and contentious interactions raises questions about the oversight of his mental health and professional conduct.
The tragedy has shaken the UNLV community, highlighting issues of campus security and the measures in place to protect students and staff from potential threats. The incident also underscores the significance of mental health assessments in conjunction with thorough background checks, particularly in educational environments.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are examining Polito’s motive and background, trying to piece together the events that led up to the deadly shooting. The university and larger academic community are left to mourn the irreplaceable loss of life and to confront the vulnerabilities exposed by this act of violence.
In the aftermath, there have been calls for heightened security measures and policies to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing the importance of a proactive approach to campus safety and mental health.
The tragedy at UNLV serves as a somber reminder of the potential consequences of neglecting these areas, prompting a re-evaluation of how educational institutions can safeguard against such devastating occurrences.