In a tragic turn of events, the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) found itself at the center of a horrifying incident as a fatal shooting unfolded on campus, leaving three people dead.
The shocking event sent shockwaves through the community, reviving memories of the city's deadliest mass shooting. This latest incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has left students and residents grappling with fear and sorrow.
Eyewitness Accounts Unveil Moments of Terror in UNLV shooting
Witnesses, including 18-year-old freshman Jose Lopez and junior finance student Connor Friedman, vividly recount the terrifying moments as gunshots pierced the air within the UNLV business school building.
Lopez, engrossed in YouTube videos on the fourth floor, suddenly found himself frozen with fear as the shots rang out. "I was scared, and my legs started shaking," he recalls. After briefly freezing, he managed to escape to the third floor, seeking refuge in an academic advisory office where he, along with others, awaited police intervention.
Friedman, on the other hand, initially mistook the gunfire for construction noise. However, reality soon set in, prompting him to run for safety. "It didn't even feel real at first. It felt like they were lying about the shooting," he expressed.
The grim reality of the situation dawned on him later, as he realized that lives were lost in the very building he had occupied just moments before.
Authorities Confirm Three Dead, Campus on High Alert
Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation have confirmed that at least three individuals lost their lives in the shooting, with an additional victim in critical condition at a hospital.
Las Vegas, home to the deadliest mass shooting in history six years ago, is once again grappling with the aftermath of senseless violence.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill assured the community that the suspect responsible for the shooting is deceased and there is no ongoing threat to the university.
As UNLV remains on high alert, police are systematically evacuating buildings, urging students to shelter in place. The tragic incident prompted a ground stop at Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport due to its proximity to UNLV and the police response, which included helicopters. The university, in cooperation with law enforcement, has closed its doors for the remainder of the day.
City Shaken as UNLV Revisits the Trauma of Mass Shootings
The UNLV shooting has revived painful memories for Las Vegas residents, echoing the tragedy of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history during a country music festival in 2017.
The city, already scarred by past events, is once again grappling with the profound impact of gun violence on its community.
Relatives and friends anxiously await updates on the safety of their loved ones, adding another layer of emotional turmoil to an already devastated city. As the investigation unfolds, questions regarding the motive behind the shooting remain unanswered.
The UNLV tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding campus safety and the need for communities to come together to address the pervasive issue of gun violence.
The University of Nevada Las Vegas, faces a somber chapter in its history as it contends with the aftermath of this senseless act.
