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Third UNLV shooting victim ID’d as Japanese studies professor Naoko Takemaru

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Social Links for Katherine Donlevy
Published Dec. 8, 2023, 9:17 p.m. ET

The third victim of the University of Nevada Las Vegas shooting was identified by officials Friday as an associate professor of Japanese Studies.

Naoko Takemaru, 69, succumbed to “multiple gunshot wounds” after gunman Anthony Polito stormed the college shortly before noon Wednesday, the Clark County Medical Examiner announced.

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.

“Dr. Takemaru has received the William Morris Award for Excellence in Teaching from the College of Liberal Arts at UNLV,” according to the university.

Officials had initially withheld Takemaru’s identification pending family notification.

Officials previously identified the other two victims as business professors Patricia Navarro-Velez, 39, and Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, 64.

All three faculty members had been inside Beam Hall, which houses UNLV’s business school, when Polito began firing with a list in hand of intended targets, none of whom were struck by his bullets.

This undated photo provided by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas shows Naoko Takemaru
Naoko Takemaru, an associate professor of Japanese studies, died from multiple gunshot wounds. AP
All three faculty members had been inside Beam Hall, which houses UNLV's business school, when Polito began firing with a list in hand of intended targets, none of whom were struck by his bullets.
All three faculty members had been inside Beam Hall, which houses UNLV’s business school, when Polito began firing with a list in hand of intended targets, none of whom were struck by his bullets. Getty Images

A fourth victim, a 38-year-old visiting professor, survived the attack and was rushed to a hospital, where his condition has since been downgraded to stable condition.

Polito was killed when he rushed out of the building and exchanged gunfire with cops.

Investigators are still working to uncover Polito’s motive, though the violence could be tied to his repeated rejection by universities.

Polito — who served as an associate business professor from August 2001 to January 2017 — was repeatedly rejected from numerous job applications at several Nevada higher education institutions.

This Dec. 4, 2012 photo provided by UNLV shows Cha Jan "Jerry" Chang
Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang, an associate professor in the business school’s Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology department, died from a gunshot wound to the head. AP
This Aug. 19, 2019 photo provided by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas shows Patricia Navarro Velez, 39, an accounting professor who was one of three victims shot and killed Wednesday,
Navarro Velez, an accounting professor, died from multiple gunshot wounds. AP

Moments before the deadly rampage, the scorned professor sent 22 letters containing laced white powder to collegiate scholars across the country.

In the wake of the tragedy, UNLV canceled classes for the remainder of the semester, including finals.

The Winter Commencement ceremony, however, will continue as planned.

A shattered door is viewed at the student union building the morning after a shooting left three dead at the University of Nevada.
Anthony Polito was carrying a list of targets, all faculty and professors when he stormed Beam Hall. Getty Images
In the wake of the tragedy, UNLV canceled classes for the remainder of the semester, including finals.
In the wake of the tragedy, UNLV canceled classes for the remainder of the semester, including finals. Getty Images

“One common thread that emerged was a desire to come together,” UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield said in a letter to the community.

“The milestone moment of commencement is the most special day on the university calendar, and it’s in difficult times like these that we can and should celebrate our graduates’ academic dreams fulfilled.”