911 audio reveals immediate suspect identification in UNC shooting.
Police Quickly Identify Suspect in Fatal Shooting on College Campus
In the wake of a tragic shooting that claimed the life of Associate Professor Zijie Yan at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, police in Chapel Hill received crucial information about the suspect’s identity within minutes of the incident, as revealed in a recording of the 911 call.
The audio, although partially redacted, provides a glimpse into the immediate aftermath of Monday’s shooting inside a science building on campus. Authorities wasted no time and apprehended Tailei Qi, a 34-year-old resident of Chapel Hill, without any use of force, less than two hours after the incident.
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Mr. Qi, who worked with Professor Yan’s research group, now faces charges of first-degree murder and possession of a weapon. The incident sent shockwaves through the campus community, prompting a lockdown that lasted for hours. A candlelight vigil was held to honor Mr. Yan, and classes have since resumed.
According to UNC Police Chief Brian James, the 911 call reporting the gunfire came in around 1 p.m. on Monday from Caudill Labs, where Mr. Yan primarily worked. However, Mr. Qi had already left the building by the time officers arrived.
In the released 4 1/2-minute recording, the distressed caller can be heard urging others to seek shelter and stay indoors, alerting them to the presence of an active shooter. When asked for a description of the suspect, the caller confidently provided Mr. Qi’s name and mentioned that he was armed and on campus.
The caller proceeded to describe the suspect’s attire and revealed that they had witnessed him leaving the building, heading towards a neighboring laboratory facility. They even directed the operator to the university’s website, where a photo of the suspect could be found.
While it remains unclear if Mr. Qi entered another building, he was eventually apprehended in a Chapel Hill neighborhood. The AP reached out to his public defender for comment but received no response.
In the chaotic moments following the shooting, the caller urgently pleaded for immediate assistance and emphasized the need to secure the campus. Emergency sirens were activated, and written messages were sent out to the community, warning them of an armed and dangerous individual in the vicinity.
The operator advised the caller, “Do not open the door unless there’s an officer present.”
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