A University of North Carolina graduate student allegedly shot and killed an associate professor on Monday, prompting a lockdown at the college and other area schools.
Doctoral student Tailei Qi, 34, was arrested in a residential area not far from the university’s Chapel Hill campus. WRAL reported that Qi used a 9mm pistol to kill Zijie Yan in Caudill Lab.
Authorities said the murder weapon remains missing. Though a motive remains unclear, WRAL reported that Qi closely worked with Yan’s research group since early 2022 — with the pair co-authoring a study about nanoparticles.
According to North Carolina Newsline, Qi complained about his research work in tweets he made over the years. He allegedly also mentioned being frustrated with his principal investigator, though it is unclear whether he was referring to Yan.
“When I work, I will think I was showing the boss I am working instead of interests, devaluing the meaning of my work. That’s so disgusting. Self-respect block me from working. Then it takes pains to convince myself what I do is just because I like,” he reportedly wrote on his since-suspended Twitter account.
Qi, who has not been formally charged, is charged with possession of a weapon on educational property and first-degree murder. He is due back in court on September 19.
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[Featured image: Tailei Qi, Zijie Yan/University of North Carolina; ]
