The man who shot and killed three professors at a Las Vegas university on Wednesday and injured a fourth person sent 22 letters to other universities just before his act. The letters could be intercepted before they were delivered. White powder was found in at least one envelope.
According to the police, 67-year-old Anthony James Polito, who taught at various universities in the past, applied to various educational institutions, but was rejected each time. It is not yet known whether that was the motive for the shooting. According to police, he had financial problems.
Polito had made a list of names of various university employees, but the three people he shot dead on Wednesday were not on it. Polito was killed during the shooting by police on campus.
Staff were targeted
According to Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Police Department, it does not appear that the perpetrator intended to hit the students present. The victims all worked at the university. According to CNN, this concerns a 64-year-old professor, a 39-year-old university lecturer and a third person whose identity has not yet been released. Authorities initially reported the injured person was in stable condition, but McMahill said the condition has since deteriorated.
Police are investigating the contents of the letters sent and contacting the intended recipients to ensure everyone is safe. Sheriff McMahill stressed that anyone in higher education who might receive such a letter should exercise caution and contact authorities.
The UNLV campus in Las Vegas will remain closed through Friday. UNLV President Keith Whitfield urged members of the university community to seek help if they needed it. “My heart breaks for the many students, faculty, staff, parents, loved ones and community members who spent hours in limbo while officers made sure our campus was safe again,” he wrote.
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