Graduate Student Charged with Murder in Fatal Shooting at UNC Chapel Hill
A graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a faculty member on Monday. UNC police identified the suspect as Tailei Qi, who is also facing a charge of having a gun on education property. Qi, who is a citizen of China and in the United States on a visa, appeared in court on Tuesday wearing an orange jail outfit with his hands cuffed in front of him. He did not enter a plea and was ordered held without bond.
The victim has been identified as Zijie Yan, an associate professor in the department of Applied Physical Sciences at UNC. Yan had been working at the university since 2019. UNC Police Chief Brian James revealed that the suspect and the victim knew each other, with Yan serving as Qi’s faculty adviser. Qi, who entered UNC in 2022, was a graduate student in the same department as Yan.
The shooting took place at the Caudill Laboratories, a chemistry studies building on the UNC campus, during the early afternoon. The university was placed on lockdown for several hours following the incident. The suspect was located about a mile away on foot and was detained approximately 90 minutes later. His car was found on campus. Authorities are still searching for the firearm used in the shooting.
UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz expressed his condolences to Yan’s family and announced that the campus will ring the bell tower in his honor on Wednesday. Guskiewicz described Yan as a beloved colleague, mentor, and friend to many on the campus, as well as a father to two young children.
Classes and campus activities have been canceled since the shooting occurred and will continue to be closed on Wednesday. The university, which has a student body of about 32,000, along with over 4,000 faculty and 9,000 staff members, is in the second week of its fall semester.
The FBI is assisting in the investigation, and UNC officials are working to gather evidence and determine the motive behind the shooting. This incident marks the 49th school shooting in the United States this year, with 34 occurring on K-12 campuses and 15 on university and college campuses, according to a CNN tally.
UNC Chancellor Guskiewicz acknowledged the devastating loss and the impact it has had on the campus community’s trust and safety. He pledged to work towards rebuilding that sense of trust and safety within the community.
CNN’s Steve Almasy and Sara Smart contributed to this report.
What steps is UNC taking to support those affected by the tragedy and ensure their well-being?
At UNC for several years and was well-respected by his colleagues and students.
According to witnesses, the shooting took place inside Yan’s office in Murray Hall on the UNC campus. UNC police responded to reports of shots fired and found Yan with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The motive for the shooting is still unclear, and investigators are working to determine what led to the deadly incident. UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz expressed his condolences to Yan’s family and the UNC community, and urged students and faculty to seek support if needed.
The arrest of Qi, a fellow member of the UNC community, has shocked and deeply saddened many. The university will be providing counseling services and support to those affected by the tragedy.
The UNC community is coming together to honor Yan’s memory and support each other during this difficult time. A memorial service is being planned to celebrate Yan’s life and achievements.
As the investigation continues, many questions still need answering. It is a heartbreaking reminder that violence can occur even in seemingly safe environments like a university campus.
The tragedy has also sparked discussions about gun control and safety measures on college campuses. UNC has strict policies regarding guns on campus, but incidents like this highlight the need for continued vigilance and evaluation of these policies.
For now, the UNC community is focused on healing and supporting each other. The loss of Zijie Yan is not only a personal tragedy for his loved ones but also a loss for the field of Applied Physical Sciences and the UNC community as a whole.
Oh, the tragic loss of a brilliant mind. My condolences to the victim’s family and the UNC community. Holding space for healing and justice.