In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that Anthony Polito, the man responsible for the tragic shooting incident at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), had previously resigned from another educational institution following allegations of sexual misconduct. Polito, who had tenure at East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville, North Carolina, had reportedly made a lewd remark about a female student's appearance, leading to his resignation. The incident brings attention to the concerns over the handling of such cases within academic institutions.

The incident in question took place in 2016 when Kristin Marshburn, now 28 years old, was a student in Polito's business course at ECU. Marshburn recalled that during a class, Polito made a comment about her low-cut shirt, insinuating that she would receive a better grade if she continued wearing it throughout the semester. The bold and inappropriate comment shocked Marshburn and other students present. She promptly reported the incident to the business school's dean, leading to an investigation.

Months later, in January 2017, Polito resigned from his tenured associate professor position at ECU, where he had been employed since 2001 in the marketing and supply chain management department. The university stated that it is unclear whether his resignation was directly linked to the incident involving Marshburn. Notably, Polito did not return to class after Marshburn reported him. The circumstances surrounding his departure remain unclear, prompting further investigation into potential disciplinary action.

When approached for comment, an ECU spokesperson declined to address the specific circumstances of Polito's resignation, stating that a public records request must be submitted for any potential access to disciplinary records. NBC News has filed the request but had not received a response as of Monday.

Further revelations about Polito's state of mind emerged from previously posted online writings, where he blamed ECU's higher-ups for allegedly ruining his career and reputation. He also mentioned a student who he claimed aided the higher-ups in justifying their actions against him. The writings shed some light on his mindset and frustration during his tenure at ECU.

Polito, 67 years old, had a "target list" containing names of faculty members at both UNLV and ECU, according to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill. On December 6, Polito carried out a deadly shooting at UNLV, where he had applied for a teaching job in 2020 but was not hired. Three faculty members were killed, and a visiting professor was injured, although none of the victims were on Polito's target list. The motive behind the attack remains unknown.

Law enforcement authorities revealed that Polito had faced financial struggles, as evidenced by an eviction notice on his apartment's front door. Additionally, he had been denied multiple job applications within the Nevada higher education system, exacerbating his financial hardship.

In light of these developments, attention has been brought to the concerns raised by Marshburn and another woman, who recently came forward to share their uncomfortable experiences with Polito. The 32-year-old woman from Durham, North Carolina, recounted how Polito crossed boundaries by inviting her to Las Vegas during her senior year in 2012. Despite feeling uneasy about the situation, she did not report his behavior due to his well-respected status on campus.

Former students described Polito as eccentric but popular, with a tendency to steer classroom discussions towards his frequent trips to Las Vegas. Polito's flamboyant attire, which included suspenders and fancy cufflinks, along with his habit of smoking Virginia Slims cigarettes, often became a topic of interest in his classes. Some students admired him for his intellect while others considered him to be a narcissist obsessed with his own superiority.

These revelations highlight the need for academic institutions to prioritize the safety and well-being of their students and to address allegations of misconduct promptly and effectively. The case of Anthony Polito serves as a stark reminder that inappropriate behavior by faculty members cannot be tolerated, and steps must be taken to cultivate a safe and inclusive learning environment. Further investigation will shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Polito's resignation from ECU and provide insights into the policies that govern such cases within academic institutions.