UNLV shooting: Suspect is ‘professor who failed to get job at school’

Police have “no idea on the motive” for the shooting, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sheriff, Kevin McMahill, said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“We will be conducting this investigation into the wee hours of the morning, there is no doubt,” he added.

“I know you have an insatiable appetite like I do to find out why, to understand motivation, and we will provide that to you at the appropriate time.”

The shooter has not been named by police, but he has been identified as a 67-year-old college professor who had applied for – but failed to be accepted for – a job at the University of Nevada.

Police are searching the suspect’s home and have seized his cellphone and professional papers to look for possible clues as to the motive for the attack.

Here are the remarks made by president Joe Biden on Wednesday, following the shooting at a Las Vegas university:

“Yesterday, in Austin and San Antonio, at least six people were killed and several more injured by a gunman—leaving families devastated, and communities forever changed. And just hours ago, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas became the latest college campus to be terrorized by a horrific act of gun violence, and the community is still awaiting information on casualties,” he said.

“Jill and I join citizens across our nation in praying for the families of our fallen, and for those who were injured during these latest acts of senseless violence. We are also grateful for the courageous work of law enforcement—who risked their own safety to bring an end to these deadly shooting sprees. Federal law enforcement officials are on the ground working with State and local law enforcement in both states and I have directed that all necessary support be provided to assist in the investigations and support these communities.

“This year alone, our nation has experienced more than 600 mass shootings, and approximately 40,000 deaths due to gun violence. This is not normal, and we can never let it become normal.

“For all the action we have taken since I’ve been President, the epidemic of gun violence we face demands that we do even more. But we cannot do more without Congress. Republican lawmakers must join with Democrats in Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, pass a national red flag law, enact universal background checks, require the safe storage of guns, and advance other commonsense measures that will help stem the tide of gun violence.

“And together, we must do more to prevent more families, and more communities like Austin, San Antonio, and Las Vegas, from being ripped apart by gun violence.”

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said on Wednesday that it has identified the suspect in the shooting at a university campus, but would not be releasing it until the families of victims have been contacted.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill, told a press conference: “I would like to reiterate to all of you that there is no more ongoing threat to our community here in Las Vegas.

“I would also like to tell you that we do know the identity of the suspect in this case, but I will not be releasing his name tonight until after the next of kin notification.”

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has slammed Republicans for blocking the passage of a gun law – just hours before the shooting at the University of Nevada.

“Today I asked my colleagues to pass my universal firearms background checks legislation. It’s supported by 90% of Americans and would save thousands of lives. Republicans blocked it. Three hours later, another mass shooting in UNLV. This carnage is a choice,” he wrote on X.

A shooting on a college campus in Las Vegas on Wednesday has left three people dead and another seriously injured.

The suspect, who has been identified by police – though not publicly – was killed during a shoot-out with officers shortly after the attack began.

Although authorities later reassured the commmuntity that there was “no further threat”, many questions still remain, largely to do with the shooter and their motive.

Here’s what we know so far:

The University of Nevada shooting unfolded at around 11.45am on Wednesday morning when gunfire rung out from Beam Hall, where the college’s Lee Business School is located.

UNLV Police Chief Adam Garcia told CNN that the gunman – a professor who had tried unsuccessfully to get a job at the school – opened fire on the fourth floor of the building before moving through several other floors.

An “active shooter” alert was sent to students, staff and faculty, while on- and off-duty police officers rushed to the location.

Two university police detectives then encountered the shooter outside of Beam Hall and a shootout unfolded.

The gunman was shot dead in the exchange of gunfire.

The active shooter alert was lifted and an all-clear given around 40 minutes after the first reports of gunfire.

Las Vegas police are searching an apartment believed to be connected to the gunman who killed three and wounded a fourth in Wednesday’s shooting – before he was shot dead by officers.

ABC News reported that investigators were on the scene of the property in Henderson, Nevada, late on Wednesday.

Police have also seized the suspect’s cellphone and professional papers to look for possible clues as to the motive for the attack.

The identity of the victims’ have not yet been made public. The identity of the dead suspect has also not been released by officials.

Graeme Massie has the full story: