A shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus on Wednesday left three people dead and one person injured, police said. The suspect was also killed in a shootout with police.
The shooting occurred at about 11:45 a.m. local time at Beam Hall, a building that houses the Lee Business School. Police said the gunman opened fire on the fourth floor of the building, killing three people and injuring one.
Two university detectives responded to the scene and exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The suspect was killed in the shootout.
The three victims were identified as:
- A 22-year-old male student
- A 25-year-old female student
- A 67-year-old male professor
The injured person, a 20-year-old male student, was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. He is in stable condition.
The motive for the shooting is unknown. Police said they are investigating the possibility that the suspect was a former student or employee of the university.
The shooting is the latest in a series of gun violence incidents on college campuses in the United States. It is the 80th school shooting in 2023, according to a CNN analysis.
Motive Unknown
Police said they do not know the motive for the shooting. They are investigating whether the suspect had any connection to the victims or the university.
The shooting caused a campus-wide lockdown. Classes were canceled for the rest of the day, and students and faculty were told to shelter in place.
Responses to Shooting
The shooting drew widespread condemnation from politicians and community leaders.
“This is a senseless act of violence that has claimed the lives of three innocent people,” said Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak. “My heart goes out to the victims and their families.”
“This is a tragedy for our community,” said UNLV President Keith Whitfield. “Our focus is on supporting the victims and their families, and providing counseling and support to our students, faculty, and staff.”
The shooting also sparked renewed calls for action to address gun violence in the United States.
“This is a reminder that we need to do more to keep our communities safe,” said Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada. “We need to pass common-sense gun safety laws that will stop these tragedies from happening.”
Impact on Campus
The shooting has had a significant impact on the UNLV campus. Students and faculty are still reeling from the tragedy, and many are concerned about their safety.
“I’m scared to go back to campus,” said one student who witnessed the shooting. “I don’t know if I’ll ever feel safe there again.”
The university is offering counseling and support services to students and faculty who are struggling to cope with the shooting.
“We are committed to providing support to our students and faculty during this difficult time,” said Whitfield.
The shooting is a reminder of the ongoing threat of gun violence in the United States. It is a tragedy that has left three people dead and one person injured, and it has had a profound impact on the UNLV campus community.
