Las Vegas, Nevada – Campus surveillance footage has been released, revealing a harrowing scene of a campus police officer engaging in a shootout with a gunman at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The incident resulted in the deaths of three professors and severe injury to another during a violent rampage in December.
The shooter, identified as Anthony Polito, a 67-year-old former business professor from North Carolina, was armed with a legally purchased handgun and had a list of potential targets, none of whom were the victims of the attack. The footage captured by the cameras showed the chaos and panic that ensued on the campus as gunshots rang out within the five-story business school building.
In response to public records requests, the university released over 20 hours of security camera footage and body camera recordings from the officers involved in the incident. The videos depicted the swift response of law enforcement as they arrived at the scene within minutes of the shooting, trying to contain the situation.
One particularly chilling moment captured in the footage was when a father called 911 after receiving a text from his daughter, who was hiding in a classroom. The dispatcher confirmed the presence of an active shooter on the campus and advised the father to instruct his daughter to stay hidden until help arrived.
Despite the terror that unfolded that day, the community rallied together as campus security officers and Las Vegas police worked in tandem to secure the area and ensure the safety of the students and faculty. The videos showed the bravery and quick thinking of those involved in handling the crisis.
The release of the footage shed light on the heroism displayed by the officers and the resilience of the university community in the face of such a tragic event. The ongoing recovery of the injured professor, a visiting faculty member, serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of such senseless violence on individuals and communities.
This incident, although contained by law enforcement, is a stark reminder of the prevalence of gun violence in the United States and the need for continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of educational institutions. As the community continues to heal and rebuild, the memories of that fateful day serve as a solemn reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of coming together in times of crisis.