Charged on Tuesday, a graduate student hailing from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill stands accused of fatally shooting a professor, becoming the latest addition to a series of incidents contributing to the prevailing national gun violence issue.

This tragedy has left the academic community in shock, prompting authorities to delve into the motive behind the incident.

In Orange County Court, Tailei Qi, a Chinese national majoring in applied physical sciences, had his initial appearance, NBC News reported.

He faces charges of first-degree murder and was directed to be held in custody without bail. Appearing in an orange jumpsuit, the 34-year-old Qi was secured with shackles and assisted by a Chinese translator.

Additionally, he faces an accusation of possessing a firearm on an educational premise, with expectations that this misdemeanor will be elevated to a felony status.

Following the court proceedings, Qi’s public defender refrained from issuing any public statements. A hearing to establish probable cause has been slated for September 18th.

Written by staff