On August 28, 2023, a shooting incident took place in a science lab on the North Carolina campus of UNC-Chapel Hill, leading to a faculty member’s death.

Reports indicate that Zijie Yan, an associate professor at UNC’s Department of Applied Physical Sciences, was found on the floor of his office in the science lab with multiple gunshot wounds. 

The nature of these injuries, as confirmed by an autopsy report, included shots to the head, face, neck, left arm, chest, and abdomen. In addition, graze wounds were present on his right upper arm, left hand, and left forearm. A total of nine shell casings were discovered at the scene.

The accused in this incident, Tailei Qi, a 34-year-old grad student at UNC-Chapel Hill, has been charged with first-degree murder. As per sources, Yan served as Qi’s faculty adviser.

The shooting incident put the entire campus on lockdown, with UNC Police issuing alerts about a potentially armed and dangerous person in the vicinity. Students, in response to the incident, gathered on campus to emphasize the importance of gun safety, also holding a moment of silence to honor Yan.

Following the incident, Chancellor Guskiewicz communicated with the campus community through an email. “The wounds of this tragedy will not heal quickly,” the statement expressed, recognizing Yan’s role as a “beloved colleague, mentor, and friend.”

The district attorney has confirmed that they won’t be seeking the death penalty against Qi. As authorities continue with the investigations, the motive behind the act is yet to be established.