Two of the three professors killed in Las Vegas shooting rampage were Asian Americans

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, shooting victims are, from left, Cha Jan Chang,
Patricia Navarro Velez and Naoko Takemaru.

Two of the three professors killed in the Dec. 6 mass shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas were Asian Americans.

Professors Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, 64, and Naoko Takemaru, 69, along with Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, were killed by a man who failed to win a job at the school.

The shooting suspect, Anthony Polito, 69, was shot and killed by campus police Wednesday. Polito had applied for a college professorship at UNLV but was not hired. Police found a list of targeted people in Polito's apartment in neaerby Henderson. The victims, however, were not on the list.

Chang, 64, had been teaching UNLV’s business school students for more than 20 years on “management information systems,” UNLV president Keith Whitfield said.

Takemaru taught Japanese studies, according to her faculty page on UNLV’s website. Takemaru was a decorated scholar who taught all levels of the Japanese language at UNLV and authored a book about gender bias in the culture’s society. 

Navarro-Velez, 39, an assistant professor of accounting, had been teaching at the school for almost five years,” Whitfield said.

A motive for the shootings has not been determined, according to authorities. Police found ammunition in Polito's apartment. His computer had links to websites touting conspiracy theories.

Police said they found a document that looked like his last will and testament.

The shootings occurred as finals began at the school UNLV will forego in-person finals in the wake of the fatal shooting but will hold winter commencement as planned.

"I won’t sugarcoat it. We are all hurting right now, said Whitfield in a statement. "But it’s in these trying times that we need to lean on one another for support. I urge you to check in on each other and utilize counseling services if you need them."

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