Students Experience Terrifying Moments as Gunman Opens Fire on Campus
When UNLV students were going about their daily routines, preparing for final exams and enjoying the perks of “study week,” the unthinkable happened. A mass shooting took place on Wednesday at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, leaving three people dead, one critically injured, and the gunman dead.
The Fear and Panic
Carlos Eduardo Espina, a law student, expressed the shock and disbelief that students felt. They never imagined such an event could happen on their campus. As the notification of the shooting came in, students in the student union, including Cesar Marquez, immediately took action to protect themselves. They barricaded themselves behind tables, turned off the lights, and stayed quiet.
The fear escalated as they received updates that the shooter was in the student union. The room fell silent as they heard someone trying to open the door, unsure if it was the police or the shooter. Students stood ready to defend themselves if necessary.
A Campus in Chaos
Brandon Sanchez, who had just left class to grab some food, initially mistook the loud bangs for construction noise. However, as the bangs continued, a police car arrived, and panic ensued. Students ran for cover, seeking safety in nearby stores. Police quickly flooded the campus, responding to the situation.
Some instructors informed their students about plans to resume studies and exams once the campus was declared safe. However, some students, like Sanchez, expressed concerns about their safety and were not ready to return until additional security measures were implemented.
Traumatizing Moments
Jason Whipple Kelly, a law student heading to a final exam, received a text alert on his phone, urging him to evacuate to a safe area. He immediately turned around and ran back to his car as sirens blared and police ran on campus. He praised the university’s administration for their timely updates and instructions.
Jordyn Johnson, a UNLV cheerleader, was at practice when she received a notification on her Apple watch about an active shooter on campus. Her team hastily secured the gym, creating a makeshift wall with gym mats. They spent the next two hours anxiously waiting for the police to arrive.
The Agony of Waiting
For Olivia Stabile, a Las Vegas native, the news of the shooting hit close to home. Her younger sister, Bella, was on campus at the time. Olivia anxiously communicated with her sister, urging her to hide and assuring her that everything would be okay. However, her relief turned to panic when she received another text warning of shots fired at the student union. It took time for her mother to confirm Bella’s safety.
The pain and trauma of previous mass shootings in Las Vegas added to the anguish of the moment. Stabile couldn’t understand why such a tragedy occurred in her city once again, especially in a place as vulnerable as a university campus and just weeks before the end of the semester.
The UNLV community is left grappling with the aftermath of this horrifying event. As investigations continue, students and faculty come to terms with the reality that their campus is no longer a place of safety and security. The road to healing and reclaiming that sense of safety will be a long and challenging one.