A shooting at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill on August 28 caused the tragic death of Associate Professor Zijie Yan, a prominent figure in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences.
The incident, beginning at around 1:02 pm in Caudill Laboratories, invoked immediate safety protocols, with campus inhabitants seeking shelter. The suspected shooter was neutralized and detained within a span of 90 minutes, according to Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz in a press briefing.
The suspect, Tailei Qi, a UNC doctoral candidate, was taken into custody not far from the main campus. His academic background includes Wuhan University and a master’s credential from Louisiana State University.
UNC Police Chief Brian James has called for a deeper probe into the connection between the deceased, who was also Qi’s faculty advisor, and the assailant. The weapon was not found.
The administration, in response to the shooting, urged caution and indoor safety, with a subsequent “all clear” issued by the late afternoon. A two-day pause was declared for campus activities.
Media footage portrayed intensified police patrols, with students making cautious exits from the university’s buildings. The arrest of the alleged suspect was also shown.
Upon appearing in Orange County Superior Court, Qi was denied bond, with legal proceedings set to continue on September 18.