At least three people were killed and one person was sent to a hospital with injuries - later determined to be non-life-threatening -- after a shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on Wednesday.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police responded to an area near the university's BEAM Hall around noon after calls reporting an active shooter on campus. Police arrived at the scene minutes later and "engaged the suspect." Police later reported that the suspect was dead. A motive for the attack remained unclear by Wednesday night.
Officers said additional shots were fired at the campus Student Union, Scripps News Las Vegas reported.
Shortly after the incident, officials held a press conference, assuring the absence of threats to other campuses. However, as a precautionary measure, all campuses within the Nevada System of Higher Education in Southern Nevada are closed.
Las Vegas police said late Wednesday three people died and one person was still in the hospital with non-life-threatening injures. Police said an additional four people were taken to a hospital after suffering from panic attacks.
Nevada Rep. Dina Titus issued a statement sayingher office was monitoring the investigation and was in constant communication with law enforcement to find ways to assist.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto said her office was also closely monitoring the situation.
"Please seek safety and listen to our law enforcement officers responding to the scene," she said.
The White House said it would continue to monitor the situation, as well.
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration placed a security ground stop on flights at Harry Reid International Airport, limiting inbound flights because the airport is near the university.
On Wednesday night, President Joe Biden said he ordered his administration provide all necessary support for investigations and assistance to Las Vegas.
"Jill and I join citizens across our nation in praying for the families of our fallen, and for those who were injured during these latest acts of senseless violence," the president said in a statement. "This year alone, our nation has experienced more than 600 mass shootings, and approximately 40,000 deaths due to gun violence. This is not normal, and we can never let it become normal."
President Biden called on Congress to do more to ban assault weapons, pass a national red flag law, implement universal background checks, mandate safe gun storage, and promote other measures to reduce gun violence.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com
