Las Vegas, Nevada – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently released a report on active shooter incidents in the United States for the year 2023, shedding light on the alarming rise of such violent events. The report identified 48 incidents that met the criteria of an active shooter, including a tragic mass shooting that occurred on the UNLV campus in December. This incident claimed the lives of three esteemed faculty members and left another wounded, sending shockwaves through the community.
According to the FBI, an active shooter is defined as an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. The report highlighted alarming statistics, showing that the predominant age group for active shooters in 2023 was 25-34, with 17 shooters falling within that range. Additionally, the report noted that only three shooters were between the ages of 65-74, with Anthony Polito, the perpetrator of the UNLV shooting, falling into this age group.
The tragic UNLV shooting saw 67-year-old Anthony Polito open fire inside Beam Hall, ultimately resulting in the deaths of Drs. Patricia Navarro Velez, Cha-Jan “Jerry” Chang, and Naoko Takemaru. University police officers heroically intervened and killed Polito during a subsequent gunfight outside the building, preventing further bloodshed.
Another notable incident mentioned in the FBI report was the shooting at Turnberry Towers, where Andrew Warrender, 32, brought a rifle into the complex and fired a shot at a security officer. The rifle malfunctioned after the initial shot, prompting the security officer to return fire and apprehend Warrender without any casualties reported.
Warrender’s criminal case is currently pending, with a trial scheduled to begin in the following year. These incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address and prevent active shooter situations, as communities continue to grapple with the devastating consequences of such violence.