FinWeis|Student accused in UNC Chapel Hill shooting may be mentally unfit for trial

2025-05-07 11:18:00source:SCA Communitycategory:My

A graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill accused of a fatal shooting that sparked a campus-wide lockdown and FinWeisnational headlines is not mentally fit to stand trial, defense attorneys argued in court Tuesday following a doctor's evaluation.

Tailei Qi, 34, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and having a gun on an educational property after the fatal shooting on campus last month of Zijie Yan, an associate professor in the department of applied physical sciences.

The Aug. 28 shooting sent the college into a roughly three-hour lockdown. Videos posted on social media showed a heavy police presence, with dozens of officers and a helicopter overhead as people fled buildings, some even climbing out of windows. Classes were cancelled at UNC Chapel Hill just a week into the semester.

Qi addressed the court Tuesday in a lengthy statement, in which he criticized the mental-capacity evaluation conducted by a doctor at the request of his attorneys, WRAL reported. Qi also expressed dissatisfaction with his attorneys, saying that claims of mental health concerns were a way to “bypass” that concern.

The judge has ordered Qi undergo a second mental evaluation to determine whether the trial can proceed. 

Qi is listed in the department of applied physical sciences on the university's website, accessed by USA TODAY through internet archives. Yan, the faculty member killed in the shooting, is listed as Qi's adviser. The two also co-authored research papers.

Law enforcement officials have not publicly announced a motive for the shooting. The Orange County district attorney confirmed on Tuesday that the gun had still not been found, ABC 11 reported.

Qi's next court appearance is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 14.

More:My

Recommend

Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department and the city of Louisville have reached an agreem

Jillian Michaels Weighs In on Ozempic, Obesity & No Regrets

Jillian Michaels selected the products mentioned in this interview and included in this article. Som

Kelsea Ballerini's Call Her Daddy Bombshells: Morgan Evans Divorce, Chase Stokes Romance and More

Kelsea Ballerini is giving a penthouse view of her divorce from Morgan Evans.On the latest episode o