University of North Carolina identifies professor as suspect in fatal shooting, charges him with murder.

The University of North Carolina ‍Mourns the Loss of Professor in Campus Shooting

The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, released‍ the name of‌ the professor​ killed during a shooting at the campus on ‌Monday.

Victim Identified: Zijie Yan

Zijie Yan, ​an associate professor ⁢in the Department of Applied⁤ Sciences, was fatally shot on Monday at Caudill Labs, ⁣one of⁤ the school’s science buildings.

Arrest Made in Connection with the Shooting

Suspect ‌Apprehended: Tailei Qi

Tailei Qi, ⁤an applied physical sciences​ graduate student at the university, was arrested and charged by the UNC Police Department on Monday. He faces two felony‍ counts of first-degree murder and possession of a‌ weapon⁤ on‍ educational property.

University Community ‌Comes Together to Honor the Victim

Kevin Guskiewicz, chancellor of UNC-Chapel ​Hill, said that the school will ring its bell tower in honor of ‌Yan on Wednesday.

“I encourage every Tar Heel to take a moment of silence during that time,” Guskiewicz said. “At this time, let’s continue to support one another and strengthen our #UNC ⁢community.

“Our hearts are with the family of our fellow faculty member, those⁤ who are personally connected to the victim, and those ⁢traumatized by this senseless act of violence,” he continued.

Investigation and Campus Lockdown

UNC-Chapel⁤ Hill went on ⁣lockdown for⁣ a few hours ⁤on Monday after⁤ reports of an armed ⁣and dangerous​ person on or near campus. UNC police confirmed⁤ later that evening that they had arrested the suspect.

The firearm‍ used in the shooting, described as a 9mm handgun, was ‍not immediately recovered in Monday’s shooting. Authorities said they would be interviewing the suspect for a motive.

“We certainly want the opportunity to ⁤interview the suspect,” UNC Police Chief Brian James said during a press conference. “To actually have the suspect in custody gives us an opportunity to figure​ out the why. And even the ‍how, and also helps us to uncover a motive and‌ … really⁢ just ​why this happened today.”

Connection Between ‍Yan and Qi

While Yan and Qi appeared to be involved in applied sciences, the police did not ‍specify how or⁣ if Yan and Qi knew each other.

However, a university ‍department web ​page that has since been removed had listed Qi as being a member‍ of ⁤Yan’s lab group, according to NBC News. ⁢A paper published‌ last month in the journal ⁢Advanced Optical Materials ‌was co-authored by Qi and Yan.

Legal Proceedings and No Death Penalty

Qi​ made his first appearance in Orange County Court, where ‍a judge ordered that he be held without bond. He appeared ​shackled in an orange jumpsuit and required⁢ a Chinese translator, according to NBC News.⁣ Qi ⁢is an international student from China.

A probable cause hearing ⁤has been‌ scheduled for Sept. ‍18. If convicted, Qi could spend life in prison without parole.

Chatham and Orange‍ Counties District Attorney ‌Jeff Nieman said after Tuesday’s hearing that he would not seek the death penalty.

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