Authorities have identified the suspect behind the deadly mass shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as 67-year-old Anthony Polito, a former college professor. The incident, which claimed the lives of three individuals and left one critically injured, has shocked the community and raised questions about the possible motive for the attack.
Key Takeaway
The suspect in the UNLV mass shooting has been identified as Anthony Polito, a former college professor. Investigators are examining the possibility that his rejection from a job application may have been a motivating factor. Polito’s alleged involvement in cracking the Zodiac Killer’s cipher adds to the intrigue surrounding his actions.
Rejected Job Application as a Possible Trigger
Investigators are now exploring whether Polito’s violent act was prompted by his alleged rejection from a job he had applied for at UNLV. According to sources, Polito had submitted his resume for a position at the university, casting doubt on whether this rejection played a role in his decision to carry out the shooting.
Police Response and Fatal Encounter
The shooting took place on Wednesday when Polito entered the university’s business school armed with a handgun. He proceeded to move through the building, targeting four individuals, three of whom tragically lost their lives. The lone survivor is currently in critical but stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Additionally, four other individuals were treated for panic attacks in the aftermath of the incident.
Law enforcement agencies swiftly responded to the scene, urging students and faculty to take shelter. University detectives engaged Polito in a gunfight, resulting in his death. It is believed that the suspect was fatally shot by police officers, effectively ending the rampage.
A Controversial Past
Further light has been shed on Polito’s past activities. He reportedly maintained his own website where he claimed to have cracked parts of the cryptic letters sent by the infamous Zodiac Killer during his killing spree in Northern California in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Polito’s alleged breakthrough in the unsolved case adds another layer of complexity to his already disturbing profile.
A LinkedIn page attributed to Polito describes him as a “semi-retired university professor.” Prior to his time at UNLV, he had worked at East Carolina University from 2001 to 2017. Polito also touted academic achievements, claiming to hold a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Georgia and a master’s in business administration from Duke University.
