The third victim of the University of Nevada Las Vegas shooting was identified by officials Friday as an associate professor of Japanese Studies.
Naoko Takemaru, 69, died of “multiple gunshot wounds” after gunman Anthony Polito stormed the college shortly before noon Wednesday, the Clark County Medical Examiner announced.
Takemaru is a decorated scholar who teaches all levels of Japanese at UNLV and authored a book about gender bias in cultural societies.
“Dr. Takemaru has received the William Morris Award for Excellence in Teaching from the College of Liberal Arts at UNLV,” according to the university.
Officials initially withheld Takemaru’s identification pending family notification.
Officials previously identified the other two victims as business professors Patricia Navarro-Velez, 39, and Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, 64.
The three faculty members had been inside Beam Hall, which houses UNLV’s business school, when Polito began firing with a list in hand of his intended targets, none of whom were hit by his bullets.
Naoko Takemaru, an associate professor of Japanese studies, died of multiple gunshot wounds. AP
The fourth victim, a 38-year-old visiting professor, survived the attack and was rushed to hospital, where his condition has been downgraded to stable.
Polito was killed when he rushed out of the building and exchanged gunfire with police.
Investigators are still working to uncover Polito’s motive, though the violence can be linked to repeated rejections by the university.
Polito — who served as an associate business professor from August 2001 to January 2017 — was repeatedly rejected from numerous job applications at several Nevada institutions of higher learning.
Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, an associate professor in the business school’s Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology department, died of a gunshot wound to the head. AP Navarro Velez, an accounting professor, died of multiple gunshot wounds. AP
Moments before his fatal rampage, the scorned professor sent 22 letters containing a string of white powder to scholars across the country.
Following the tragedy, UNLV canceled classes for the remainder of the semester, including finals.
The Winter Commencement, however, will go ahead as planned.
Anthony Polito brought a list of targets, all faculty and professors when he stormed Beam Hall. Getty Images
“One common thing that came up was the desire to come together,” UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield said in a letter to the community.
“The momentous moment of commencement is the most special day in the university calendar, and it is in difficult times like these that we can and should celebrate the academic dreams of our graduates fulfilled.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
