Three victims killed in UNLV mass shooting identified

Three people were killed and another left seriously injured during an attack on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus on Wednesday.

All four of the victims were faculty members at the UNLV, the college’s president Keith Whitfield has confirmed. All three of the deceased have now been named.

One of the victims was 39-year-old assistant professor Patricia Navarro-Velez, from Las Vegas.

Dr Navarro-Velez was an assistant professor of accounting and had “devoted her career to educating the next generation of accountants”, Mr Whitfield said.

She joined UNLV nearly five years ago as a professor of accounting, where she primarily focused on teaching accounting information systems.

Prior to this she received her PhD in accounting from the University of Central Florida, received her MAcc from Bowling Green State University, and received her BBA in accounting from the University of Puerto Rico, Ponce.

She was a recipient of the AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students and the KPMG Foundation Minority Doctoral Students Scholarship from 2014 to 2019.

Local cheerleading gym California Allstars sent “deepest condolences” to the “Navarro family”, following news of her death.

“Our hearts are shattered as we share the devastating news of the loss of a beloved member of our Cali family in yesterday’s senseless shooting,” the Instagram post read. “Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to the Navarro family at this unimaginably difficult time.”

At a press conference on Friday, Dr Navarro – known as “Pat” by her colleagues – was emembered for her “larger-than-life personality and infectious smile.”

Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr Navarro had “a genuine kindness that made everyone around her feel like family,” Dr Jason Smith said.

“She loved gatherings – ‘the more the merrier’ she would say. She loved baking and sharing especially dessert items. Her creme brulee and macarons were were not to be missed. She lit up a room with her smile and although her professional accomplishments are impressive, Pat’s most important work was at home.

“Pat and her husband are proud parents of four children and she was blessed to be surrounded with love by her parents, three sisters, a brother, many nieces and nephews and countless friends and colleagues who adored her.”

Dr Smith added: “[She is] summed up in a picture frame she has in her kitchen she brought for Thanksgiving. It has one word – it says “framily” – which is defined as friends who become family.

“Her lasting legacy is one of her a wide circle of friends who, through her influence and love, and through this experience today, find ourselves as family.”

Dr Cha Jan Chang, 64, was known as “Jerry” by friends and colleagues.

Dr Chang was a longtime educator of management information systems, who had spent more than 20 years of his academic career teaching a generation of UNLV Lee Business School students, said college president Kevin Whitfield.

He was rememebered as “a rigorous researcher and a good teacher who deeply love his student and UNLV”.

“He was a mentor of the highest caliber, offering guidance and support – not just with words but with actions, sharing his experience and wisdom generously, patiently helping [students] navigate the complexity of academia,” a colleague said of Dr Chang.

“He believed in their potential and celebrated their achievement, fostering a sense of belonging and fellowship in the department.”

Dr Chang had also previously discussed the possibility of donating his body to UNLV for research purposes. While UNLV does not accept such donations, his body will be reportedly utilised by another institution.

Both Dr Navarro and Dr Chang died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Clark County coroner.

On Friday, the third victim was named after her next of kin were informed by the coroner’s office.

Dr Naoko Takemaru, an associate professor in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, was a noted scholar, author, and award-winning educator. Her colleagues also noted her love of cats.

She had recently marked her 20th year as a member of UNLV’s faculty, according to Mr Whitfield.

Dr Takemaru coordinated Japanese language programs and taught numerous courses on Japanese culture, business, and language at UNLV and “was incredibly dedicated to her students.”

Dr Margaret Harp, a colleague of Dr Naoko Takemaru, described as “lion-hearted” and a “triple threat artist”.

“I hope we will also remember her for her multiple talents,” Dr Harp said.

“She was a professional concert pianist who left that career due to physical disabilities. She embroidered beautifully, creating her own designs and every holiday season she brought us her homemade chocolates.

“In a department full of cat lovers, Naoko was a cat lover supreme. Her office is covered, floor to ceiling, wall to wall with cat pictures, drawings, puzzles and calendars.”

Dr Harp added: “Naoko was frail physically. However, she was lion-hearted... and I have no doubt she was lionhearted in her final moments on Earth.

“Godspeed Naoko you are better people for having known you. We are bereft at losing you.”

According to Mr Whitfield the fourth victim is was a 38-year-old male, who was a visiting professor. He remains at Sunrise Hospital and in a stable condition.

The two officers involved in the shooting were named at at a press conference on Friday afternoon as Detective Nathanial Drum and Officer Damian Garcia.

Adam Garcia, police chief for the University Police Services Southern Command described the men as “heroes”.

“They kept the worst from becoming a bloodbath,” Mr Garcia said.

“The collective response and actions of our other initial responding officers LVPD metro or many regional agencies no doubt saved lives as well. Their swift response and exceptional courage were pivotal in neutralising this threat and undoubtedly prevented further harm to our community.

“I want to express with a deepest gratitude to both officer Garcia and Detective Drumm who, combined, bring over 40 years of law enforcement experience to our department.

“Their dedication to this community is unwavering.”

Detective Drum has been employed with UPS since 2017 and is assigned to the detective bureau at our central area command. Officer Garcia has been employed with UPS since 2018.

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the review of the incident.