Dear 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Community,
Today is a tragic day for 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. 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. We're all still in shock as we process the unfathomable event. Members of our community lost their lives and others were injured. My heart aches for our 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ family. I know all of us are sending our love and support to the victims, their families, and friends during this difficult time.
While the investigation remains active at this time, what we know is this. At approximately 11:45 a.m. on Dec. 6, University Police Services issued an alert to shelter in place following a report of shots fired in Frank and Estella Beam Hall on 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Maryland Pkwy campus. Officers worked swiftly to tend to victims and to identify and contain the suspect, who is confirmed deceased. There is no longer an active threat to the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ campus. A family reunification and assistance center has been established at the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall 1 and 2. Mental health support services and other resources are currently available there. Call (702) 455-AIDE (2433) or visit for more information.
All classes and academic and academic-related activities, as well as, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ performing arts activities are canceled through Sunday, Dec. 10. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Health (Medicine) clinical practice and dental practice will be open for patient care. All faculty and staff should work remotely Thursday and Friday and check with their supervisors for further guidance or with any questions. Some staff may be asked to work from the office depending on their job function. We are currently evaluating campus operations for next week and will update faculty, staff, and students accordingly after a further assessment is made.
We are also working closely with law enforcement to allow faculty, staff, and students to have access to campus to pick up personal belongings and other needed items later this evening, and a notification text will be shared with the campus community. We have been informed there will be no access to Beam Hall, the Flora Dungan Humanities building, the Student Union, Wright Hall Buildings A, B, and C, and the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Book Store until further notice. We are also working to get students back into their campus housing accommodations this evening, and ensure they have access to food and other essential services. Please watch for future notices or visit 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.edu for the latest official updates.
Student Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) will be providing crisis support services to students both in-person and via telehealth beginning tomorrow, Dec. 7. Please contact 702-895-3627 or caps@unlv.edu to access support services.
In addition, the Student Health Center and Faculty and Staff Treatment (FAST) Center plan to be open with full healthcare services available. Please call (702) 895-3370 for more information. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ faculty and staff are also encouraged to use the Employee Assistance Program.
I am incredibly grateful to the countless first responders from University Police Services, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Clark County Fire Department, and all emergency responders and medical personnel for their immediate and dedicated response. Their actions today were brave, heroic, and indicative of the strength and resilience of our community.
I also commend our students, staff, and visitors, who heeded the call to shelter in place on our main campus while officers responded and subsequently went from building to building to ensure everyone’s safety.
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.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is strong and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is resilient. 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. You are part of an incredible community and together we will pull through.
Sincerely,
Keith E. Whitfield, Ph.D.
President