Anthony Polito has been identified as the professor and suspect in the University of Nevada Las Vegas, mass shooting that claimed the lives of three. His biography facts explored.
A tragedy that will undoubtedly be forever remembered by students and witnesses of the University of Nevada Las Vegas occurred on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.
Three people have been killed after a shooter opened fire at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, cops have said.
The suspect, named locally as Anthony Polito, stormed the campus in Las Vegas on Wednesday, sparking chaos as students and staff fled the scene.
Here’s everything we know about the UNLV mass shooting suspect and the events that unfolded.
Who was Anthony Polito?
Anthony “Tony” Polito (born in 1956) was said to be a “semi-retired” professor.
He worked as a professor at East Carolina University from 2001 until 2017.
Per information on his LinkedIn, he received a master’s degree from Duke University and later a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia.
In addition to his employment and education, Polito showed a special interest in Las Vegas having shared various travel guides on the city on his website.
According to Newsweek, Polito wrote: “Hard to believe, looking back, but I had the pleasure of making more than two dozen trips to Vegas over the last fifteen years.
In December, he gained worldwide attention after he did the unthinkable. He had been denied working as a professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
This then triggered his decision to cause havoc in the institution as he allegedly went on a shooting spree which resulted in three dead and others injured.
What is Anthony Polito accused of?
Polito is accused of opening fire on the fourth floor of the UNLV Beam Hall at 11:45 am ET on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.
As the police began evacuating students from buildings, a UNLV text was sent to students: “This is not a drill. Run, Hide, Fight.”
Polito continued through multiple floors before exiting Beam Hall where he was met with a UNLV police.
They engaged in a shootout resulting in Polito being shot and killed.
According to an update from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, three victims have died and one who had been in critical condition is now stable.
It is believed that the victims were faculty members and were not students, according to sources who spoke to KABC-TV.
UNLV president Keith Whitfield called the shooting an “unfathomable event” in a statement addressing the incident.
“We will forever remember and honor those we have lost and who were injured,” he said.
“I’m grieving for the victims of today’s senseless shooting, and my heart breaks for the many students, faculty, staff, parents, loved ones, and community members who suffered through hours of painful uncertainty while officers ensured that our campus was safe and secure again.”
What are the police saying about the UNLV shooting?
Following the attack, Las Vegas Metro Sheriff Kevin McMahill said: “What happened today is a heinous, unforgivable crime… If it hadn’t been for the heroic actions of one of those police officers who responded, there could have been countless additional lives taken.”
UNLV gunman Anthony reportedly had a list of other targets and mailed out 22 letters to professors around the country, police said.
In addition to law enforcement, President Joe Biden — scheduled to visit the city on Friday, December 8 — shared his remarks on the event.
“The University of Nevada at Las Vegas became the latest college campus to be terrorized by a horrific act of gun violence, and the community is still awaiting information on casualties,” Biden said in a release.
“Jill and I join citizens across our nation in praying for the families of our fallen, and for those who were injured during these latest acts of senseless violence.
“We are also grateful for the courageous work of law enforcement—who risked their own safety to bring an end to these deadly shooting sprees.”
Who is Anthony Polito’s wife and did he have any children?
Demise professor Anthony Polito, who was shot by cops during his shooting spree at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, is believed to be a family man.
Tony as he was often called, was married but details about his wife and marital status were unknown to the media.
Not only is his spouse and relationship status unclear, but whether he was a father has not been confirmed, too.
There are no reports about the alleged shooting suspect’s son or daughter.
Also, no family member of the late retired professor has come up to speak about him.