Current:Home > FinanceStudent accused in UNC Chapel Hill shooting may be mentally unfit for trial-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Student accused in UNC Chapel Hill shooting may be mentally unfit for trial
View Date:2024-12-23 19:31:56
A graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill accused of a fatal shooting that sparked a campus-wide lockdown and national 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.
veryGood! (268)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Something Corporate
- College Football Playoff committee responds to Sen. Rick Scott on Florida State snub
- As 2023 holidays dawn, face masks have settled in as an occasional feature of the American landscape
- College Football Playoff committee responds to Sen. Rick Scott on Florida State snub
- Jack Del Rio leaving Wisconsin’s staff after arrest on charge of operating vehicle while intoxicated
- 'Wait Wait' for December 16, 2023: Live at Carnegie with Bethenny Frankel
- NFL playoff clinching scenarios: Cowboys, Eagles, Ravens can secure berths in Week 15
- Georgia middle school teacher accused of threatening to behead Muslim student
- Trump has promised to ‘save TikTok’. What happens next is less clear
- Activision Blizzard to pay $54 million to settle California state workplace discrimination claims
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Mattel's 'Wicked' mistake
- Bowl game schedule today: Everything to know about the six college bowl games on Dec. 16
- Jared Goff throws 5 TD passes as NFC North-leading Lions bounce back, beat Broncos 42-17
- 'Reacher' Season 2: When do new episodes come out? See the full release date schedule
- South Carolina to take a break from executions for the holidays
- Body of 28-year-old hostage recovered in Gaza, Israel says
- Chargers coaching vacancy: Bill Belichick among five candidates to consider
- Prosecutors say Washington state man charged in 4 murders lured victims with promise of buried gold
Recommendation
-
Harriet Tubman posthumously honored as general in Veterans Day ceremony: 'Long overdue'
-
Spoilers! All the best 'Wonka' Easter eggs from Roald Dahl's book and Gene Wilder's movie
-
Michigan man almost threw away winning $2 million scratch-off ticket
-
How much gerrymandering is too much? In New York, the answer could make or break Dems’ House hopes
-
California farmers enjoy pistachio boom, with much of it headed to China
-
Bryant Gumbel opens up to friend Jane Pauley on CBS News Sunday Morning
-
Georgia middle school teacher accused of threatening to behead Muslim student
-
The leaders of Italy, the UK and Albania meet in Rome to hold talks on migration