Las Vegas, Nevada – Video footage released by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, reveals a harrowing scene as a campus police officer bravely confronts a gunman on campus. The incident, which occurred in December 2023, ended in a deadly shootout that left three professors dead and another wounded. The footage captures the chaos and terror unleashed by a 67-year-old former business professor, Anthony Polito, whose motives were linked to rejection of his teaching applications at UNLV.
Authorities reported that the gunman was armed with a legally purchased 9 mm handgun and had a list of names, although none of the victims were on it. UNLV released over 20 hours of footage from campus security and body cameras, along with 911 call recordings, shedding light on the tragic events that unfolded that day. The video shows the campus police officer arriving within 78 seconds of the shooting, demonstrating quick response during the crisis.
The sounds of gunfire in the five-story business school building sent people running for safety, while campus security officers and Las Vegas police mobilized to contain the situation. The gunman, clad in a black trench coat, calmly made his way towards the building as officers tended to wounded victims on the premises. Despite the chaos, authorities managed to evacuate students and faculty, ensuring their safety from further harm.
UNLV President Keith Whitfield noted that the injured professor, a visiting professor, is recovering well and undergoing rehabilitation. The campus community has rallied together in the aftermath of the shooting, reflecting on the tragic events of that day. The incident, occurring just miles from the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history in 2017, serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing challenges of campus safety and gun violence prevention.
As the investigation continues to unfold, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, remains dedicated to providing support to those affected by the shooting, ensuring the campus community’s safety and well-being moving forward.