A gunman opened fire on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on Wednesday, killing three people and wounding a fourth before being shot dead by police.
The suspect has not been named but according to law enforcement sources is a man in his 60s. He began shooting on the fourth floor of Beam Hall, a building on campus, Las Vegas Police Sheriff Kevin McMahill said. The suspect continued to “multiple floors,” McMahill said, before he was “neutralized” outside the building.
The person wounded in the shootings was initially listed in critical condition at a hospital but police later said they were stable.
University police responded to calls of shots fired around 11:45 a.m. local time (2:45 p.m. ET). Two university police detectives “immediately engaged the suspect in a shootout” that resulted in the gunman’s death, University Police Chief Adam Garcia said.
Students were gathered just outside Beam Hall “playing games and eating food” at the time of the shooting, McMahill said. Tables were set up outside for them to “build Legos.” Several students described hearing gunshots and running for safety.
“If it hadn’t been for the heroic actions of one of those police officers who responded, there could have been countless additional lives taken,” McMahill said, adding that “armed confrontation of the suspect by law enforcement stopped the suspect’s further actions.”
University President Keith. E. Whitfield in a statement called the shooting “unfathomable.”
Students late Wednesday were allowed to return to campus housing. Whitfield said all classes and academic and performing arts activities will be canceled through Sunday. An evaluation will be made over whether to resume activities next week, Whitfield said.
What to know about the UNLV shooting
- The suspect in the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, shooting, which killed at least three people, is a man in his 60s, three law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation told NBC News. There was no immediate information about a motive.
- At least three people were killed, police said. A fourth person is in critical condition at a hospital.
- Police said the suspect has been located and is dead.
Police had not established a motive for the shooting as of Wednesday night.
UNLV students told they can return to their accommodation amid strong police presence
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said that students can return to campus housing, with access to food and essential services.
The university said on X that there would be a "strong police presence on campus."
Students at UNLV saw people running or heard shots, and hid for safety
UNLV student Ryan Allison was getting ready to leave work for the day in a building on campus shortly before noon.
“I opened the door. That’s what I just heard shots,” Allison, who was in the building next to where today’s shooting took place, said next his mother as they left a reunification center.
“I just did what everybody else did, just tried to hide to safety,” he said. They stayed behind cement walls with doors locked and the windows covered.
“I grew up in stuff like that back in L.A. as a kid. I’ve seen it in middle school, I’ve seen it in high school, but I’ve never seen it in college,” Allison said.
Iana Solorzano was in the commons eating when she and others saw people running. By the time they tried to leave, they were prevented. She said they spent two hours waiting in the back of a kitchen.
“Just people crying and calling their parents,” she said. She also called her parents, telling them “that I loved them and that I wanted to go home.”
UNLV Students allowed to return to campus housing
UNLV students are being allowed back to their campus housing tonight, the university said, following a deadly shooting and orders to remain sheltered in place during the crisis.
"We will ensure they have access to food and other essential services. There will continue to be a strong police presence on campus," the university said on X.
UNLV president calls shooting ‘unfathomable’
The president of UNLV tonight shared his shock and sadness after the shooting on the campus, which left three victims dead, as well as the gunman.
“Today is a tragic day for UNLV. It is with the utmost sadness and grief that I am writing to you about a shooting that took place late this morning on our campus — our home,” President Keith E. Whitfield said in a statement. “We’re all still in shock as we process the unfathomable event.”
One victim was initially in critical condition but was later stable, Las Vegas police said earlier today.
There is no threat to the campus, police said. The gunman, who has not been identified, is dead.
“We will forever remember and honor those we have lost and who were injured. I’m grieving for the victims of today’s senseless shooting, and my heart breaks for the many students, faculty, staff, parents, loved ones, and community members who suffered through hours of painful uncertainty while officers ensured that our campus was safe and secure again,” Whitfield said.
Counseling and other services will be available, he said. All classes and academic and performing arts activities are canceled through Sunday, and an evaluation will be made for next week, he added.
“Our community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni will pull together to support one another in this time of crisis. Know it’s okay not to be okay at this dark time. Ask for help if you need it,” Whitfield wrote. “You are part of an incredible community and together we will pull through.”
Las Vegas Strip marquees show '#UNLVStrong' in support after shooting
Some Las Vegas hotel and casino properties tonight showed messages of support after the shooting at UNLV.
On the Las Vegas Strip, MGM, New York-New York and other hotels changed their marquees to "#VegasStrong" and "#UNLVStrong."
The Hilton in Resorts World Las Vegas had the same message on the side of its 59-story building, helicopter video showed. The STRAT hotel and casino, too, used the hashtags on its marquee.
The signs were reminiscent of those after the Oct. 1, 2017, mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip, where a gunman opened fire on the crowd from a hotel window.
After that shooting, signs across the strip went dark with messages of solidarity and condolences, including using the term “Vegas strong.”
UNLV student recalls running out of classroom moments after alarm rang
Brett Johnsen, a junior at UNLV, was in class on the second floor of Beam Hall when gunfire broke out inside the building.
He said that after he heard a loud noise outside — which he doesn't think was a gunshot — his professor resumed lecturing until a loud alarm blared through the building just seconds later.
The professor opened the door briefly to look outside, Johnsen said, and the professor's face "turned to panic," Johnsen said, noting that he doesn't know exactly what the lecturer saw.
The professor then locked all the doors and told the class to get on the ground. Thirty seconds later, the professor opened the door to look around and see whether it was safe for the students to leave the classroom, Johnsen recalled.
"That's when he told us to run as fast as we can get out," Johnsen said. They all ran out as fast as possible. He made it to the Chipotle across the street and watched the entire event unfold from there.
Johnsen said he was "super grateful" his professor let them run out of the building when he did.
Las Vegas mayor: 'We must fix this now'
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman called today's shooting at UNLV "a tragic time for us" and said now is the time to make changes.
"But it’s a time to make it a positive and do something. We must fix this now," Goodman said.
She said she had someone "very close" to her on campus at the time of the shooting, and she thanked law enforcement, first responders and UNLV security for responding so quickly and making the lockdown "bearable" for students and professors in fear.
“It’s a very difficult time, and it’s time for us as the adults — enough. It is enough," Goodman said. "And it is people filled with anger or not understanding how to handle disappointment in their lives that they become even more hateful and full of anger that they take lives of others."
Shooting at UNLV could have been worse, officials say
Las Vegas Police Sheriff Kevin McMahill lauded the swift efforts of responders, saying they prevented what could have been an even greater loss of life on the UNLV campus this afternoon.
Students were gathered just outside Beam Hall "playing games and eating food" at the time of the shooting, McMahill said. Tables were set up outside for them to "build Legos."
"If it hadn't been for the heroic actions of one of those police officers who responded, there could have been countless additional lives taken," McMahill said, adding that "armed confrontation of the suspect by law enforcement stopped the suspect's further actions."
Clark County Commission Chairman Jim Gibson echoed McMahill's sentiments at a news conference.
“Without the incredibly well-trained and effective response provided, a whole lot worse situation could have happened,” Gibson said.
UNLV closed for the rest of the week
UNLV will be closed for the rest of today, tomorrow and Friday, University Police Chief Adam Garcia said at a news conference.
He said "additional determinations" will be made as to whether the school will reopen next week, which is finals week.
UNLV suspect died in shootout with police
The suspect in the UNLV shootings died in a shootout with police, University Police Chief Adam Garcia said at a news conference.
Garcia said university police responded to calls of shots fired on campus at about 11:45 a.m. local time. Two university police detectives responded and "immediately engaged the suspect in a shootout."
The suspect was struck and is dead, Garcia said.
The shooting originated on the fourth floor of Beam Hall, a building on campus, Las Vegas Police Sheriff Kevin McMahill said.
It went to "multiple floors," McMahill said, before the suspect was "neutralized" outside the building.
There were no immediate details about the gun used by the shooter.