LAS VEGAS (AP) - The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has announced that students and faculty will not be returning to campus for in-person classes this semester, following a deadly attack by a gunman that claimed the lives of three professors. School President Keith Whitfield made the announcement on Friday, stating that final exams scheduled for next week have been canceled.

The decision to continue remote work for faculty and staff through the end of the calendar year was made due to the physical and emotional trauma experienced by the university community, as well as the impact on campus facilities, Whitfield explained in a letter addressed to students and staff.

Authorities have disclosed that the gunman, identified as 67-year-old Anthony Polito, entered UNLV's business school during lunchtime on Wednesday and proceeded to fire shots on the top three floors, where faculty offices are situated.

Following a shootout with the police, Polito was neutralized. Upon investigation, it was discovered that he was in possession of nine magazines for a 9 mm handgun, which he had legally purchased last year. Authorities also found a list of targets at the school in his possession, although none of the victims were included on the list.

The attack at UNLV has deeply shaken the city, which already suffered from the tragic event of the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history back in October 2017. During that incident, a gunman fired upon a crowd from a high-rise suite at the Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip, resulting in the deaths of 60 people and over 400 injuries. The university campus is located just a few miles away from the site of that horrific event.

President Whitfield acknowledged in his letter that the grieving process for students and staff was ongoing, and therefore, the semester will conclude with grades based on the work completed by Wednesday, the day of the shooting.

The university community continues to rally together during this difficult time, extending support and condolences to the families and friends of the victims. As investigations into the attack progress, UNLV vows to work tirelessly in implementing comprehensive safety measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

As the community mourns the loss of three beloved educators, the focus remains on healing and rebuilding as the resilient spirit of Las Vegas prevails.