On December 6th, 2023, a man with a gun shot people at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Sadly, three people died and one was hurt. The police shot and killed the man with the gun. His name was Anthony Polito , and he was 67 years old.
He used to be a teacher at a college, but he didn’t get a job at UNLV. This blog post will look at who Anthony Polito was, why he might have done this, and how his actions affected the people around him.
Anthony Polito : A Strange and Angry Gambler
Anthony Polito was born in New York and had a PhD in mathematics from Columbia University. He worked as a professor at several colleges, including the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Nevada, Reno. He retired in 2019 and moved to Henderson, Nevada, where he lived in a modest apartment.
Polito was a high-stakes video poker player who relied on gambling as his main source of income. He frequented several casinos in Las Vegas and Reno, where he was known as a “strange” and “introverted” person who never made eye contact and only wanted to talk about gambling. He was also a heavy drinker and smoker, and had a history of heart problems and diabetes.
According to a fellow gambler who was interviewed by the FBI, Polito was very upset over how the casinos were treating him despite his high-roller status. He said that Polito felt that the casinos had become more stingy and restrictive, and that they had banned some high rollers for winning too much money. Polito himself had been banned from three Reno casinos, and had sued one of them for breach of contract.
The gambler also said that Polito had expressed his anger and frustration over the government, the economy, and the society in general. He said that Polito believed that the world was going downhill and that there was no hope for the future. He said that Polito had a pessimistic and nihilistic outlook on life, and that he had no friends or family to care for him.
Anthony Polito : A Failed Job Applicant and a Mass Shooter
In 2020, Polito applied for a part-time teaching position at UNLV’s Department of Mathematical Sciences. He submitted his resume, transcripts, and references, and was invited for an interview. However, he was not hired for the job, and was told that there were more qualified candidates.
Polito was not happy with the rejection, and filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging that he was discriminated against because of his age, race, and disability.
He claimed that he was more qualified than the other applicants, and that the hiring committee had violated the federal and state laws. He also accused the department chair of being rude and hostile to him during the interview.
The EEOC investigated Polito’s complaint, but found no evidence of discrimination. The EEOC dismissed Polito’s complaint in November 2021, and informed him of his right to sue the university within 90 days. Polito did not file a lawsuit, but continued to harbor resentment and bitterness toward UNLV.
On December 6, 2023, Polito drove to UNLV’s campus with a backpack containing two handguns, a rifle, and several magazines of ammunition. He parked his car near the Thomas & Mack Center, a multipurpose arena that hosts various events, including basketball games and concerts. He walked to the nearby Beam Hall, a building that houses the Lee Business School and the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
He entered the building and went to the fourth floor, where he shot and killed two professors who were working in their offices. He then went to the third floor, where he shot and wounded a student who was studying in the hallway. He then returned to the fourth floor, where he encountered two university police detectives who had responded to the shooting.
A gunfight ensued, and Polito was shot multiple times by the detectives. He fell to the ground, and then shot himself in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The detectives were not injured in the exchange of gunfire.
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Conclusion
The shooting at UNLV has shocked and saddened the community, and has raised questions and concerns about campus security, gun violence, and mental health. The university has offered counseling and support services to the students, faculty, and staff who were affected by the shooting, and has held vigils and memorials to honor the victims.
The university has also reviewed and updated its emergency protocols and procedures, and has increased its security measures and patrols. The shooting at UNLV has also sparked a debate and a dialogue about the causes and prevention of mass shootings, and the need for more research and resources to address the issue.
The shooting at UNLV has also reminded the public of the importance of compassion and kindness, and the value of human life.