7-12-2023 (LAS VEGAS) In a devastating incident that unfolded on Wednesday, three individuals lost their lives, and another remains critically injured following a shooting at a university in Las Vegas, as confirmed by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The assailant, responsible for the violence, was also found dead.
The grim episode began around midday local time (4 am, Singapore time) when law enforcement responded to distress calls. Officers engaged with the suspect on the university campus, where gunfire echoed through at least two locations. Reports and television footage depicted police and military-style vehicles strategically positioned, guiding dozens of students away from potential danger.
A witness, speaking to local broadcaster KVVU, recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “I was just having breakfast, and then I heard three loud booms… then two more, and then police showed up there and ran inside… but then after two minutes boom, boom, boom, more shots. So I ran into a basement, and then we were in the basement for 20 minutes.”
Even two hours after the initial eruption of gunfire, the university, located a short distance from the bustling Las Vegas Strip, continued to advise people to shelter in place. Law enforcement systematically worked to clear each building, ensuring the safety of everyone on campus.
Brett Forrest, a reporter from local station KSNV, detailed the ongoing situation, explaining that the process of releasing individuals from buildings was gradual to guarantee the absence of additional victims or threats. Universities in the vicinity took precautionary measures, closing their doors for the rest of the day. Additionally, flights into the nearby international airport were temporarily halted, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Las Vegas, renowned for its entertainment and gaming allure, attracts millions of visitors annually. Last month, the city hosted its inaugural Formula One Grand Prix, and in February, it is slated to host the Super Bowl, a pinnacle event in American football.
BREAKING: Active shooter reported at University of Nevada Las Vegas with reports of multiple victims.
Officials at the university are telling students to “RUN-HIDE-FIGHT.”
“We are responding to preliminary reports of an Active Shooter on the campus of UNLV near BEAM Hall. There… pic.twitter.com/rGqHfeuS0c
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 6, 2023
However, Las Vegas has also been marred by tragedy, notably in 2017 when a gunman unleashed terror on a crowded music festival, resulting in the loss of 60 lives—one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.
Tragically, mass shootings have become disconcertingly common in the United States, a nation grappling with a prevalence of firearms. This year alone, the Gun Violence Archive, a non-governmental organization, recorded over 600 mass shootings, defined as incidents where four or more people are wounded or killed.
Despite widespread public outrage and a growing number of incidents, efforts to enforce stricter gun controls face stiff opposition from Republicans who vehemently defend what they perceive as an unrestricted constitutional right to bear arms. The grim reality persists, with 38 incidents of mass shootings resulting in at least four fatalities reported by The Washington Post as of Monday. The pressing need for comprehensive gun control reforms remains an unresolved challenge amidst recurring episodes of gun violence.
3+ confirmed dead, including shooter, in mass shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas#breakingnews #lasvegas #nevada
— Crime With Bobby (@crimewithbobby) December 6, 2023
