UNC-Chapel Hill Shooting

UNC-Chapel Hill -- August 30, 2023: On Monday afternoon, a faculty member at the University of UNC-Chapel Hill
was shot and died, prompting a 3-hour lockdown of the campus. 

After reports of gunfire near Caudill Laboratories, authorities issued a shelter-in-place warning at 1:02 p.m.

Police said they located and detained Tailei Qi after a brief search. He is charged with first-degree murder and misdemeanor possession of a gun on school property.
Qi, a 34-year-old graduate student, was apprehended at his house at approximately 2:38 p.m., and the lockdown was lifted at approximately 4:14 p.m., according to police. 

The university's associate professor of applied physical sciences, Zijie Yan.

(Editor's Note:* A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.)

In his email to campus, Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz said he was devastated and saddened by today's shooting.

Posted by University Communications, Monday, August 28th, 2023

Dear Carolina Community,

This afternoon at 1:02 p.m., UNC Police were notified of shots fired in Caudill Laboratories on our campus. At approximately 2:30 p.m., the suspect was apprehended and is now in custody. Police issued an “all clear” to campus at approximately 4:15 p.m. There is no longer an immediate threat. UNC Police are working closely with Chapel Hill Police Department to gather information and continue their thorough and professional response.

I am grieved to report that one of our faculty members was killed in this shooting. We are waiting for confirmation that the next of kin has been contacted before we share more information.

I am devastated and saddened by today’s shooting in one of our campus buildings, a place where we conduct our important work of teaching, mentoring and research every day. This shooting damages the trust and safety that we so often take for granted on our campus. We will work to rebuild that trust and safety. 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.

In response, we have canceled classes and all campus events for the rest of the day on Monday, Aug. 28 and Tuesday, Aug. 29. The campus is moving to Condition 2 until midnight tomorrow.

Please know that support is available and these departments stand ready to help. Students, including graduate and professional students and postdocs, please contact the Dean of Students team or Counseling and Psychological Services. For urgent concerns, please call 919-966-3658, the emergency protocol line. Faculty and staff should reach out to the Employee Assistance Program. More information will be provided on additional counseling services and opportunities to grieve and process.

I am grateful to our Emergency Operations Center and UNC Police for effectively managing this situation and to our faculty, staff and students for their cooperation to ensure the safety of our campus community. I am praying for the victim, their family and every member of the Carolina community. We will send more details and information as soon as we are able.

Sincerely,

Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Chancellor

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