Update: 2:40 p.m.: District Attorney Jeff Nieman told reporters after the arraignment that his office would not be pursuing the death penalty. He also clarified that the gun on educational property charge would likely be refiled as a felony.
Nieman also confirmed to reporters that Qi is a Chinese citizen studying in the United States on a visa.
The suspect charged with the murder of UNC associate professor Zijie Yan made his first appearance at the Orange County Courthouse today in Hillsborough.
Tailei Qi, 34, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and possession of a gun on educational property on Monday. Qi is accused of shooting and killing Yan in Caudill Laboratories around 1 p.m. He was arrested at around 2:30 p.m. at an off-campus residence, according to reporting from WRAL's Mark Boyle.
District Court Judge Sherri Murrell is presiding over the case. During Tuesday's arraignment, Murrell read out the charges filed against Qi. The murder charge filed against Qi carries a maximum punishment of death and a minimum punishment of life without parole. The gun charge was listed on the arrest warrant as a misdemeanor but may be charged as a felony. The felony charge would carry a maximum sentence of 24 months.
Qi is currently being held without bond in the Orange County Detention Center. Qi, who was provided an interpreter during the arraignment, will be assigned a public defender.
UNC's campus was put under lockdown at 1:04 p.m. on Monday shortly after a 911 call reported shots fired at Caudill Labs, UNC Police Chief Brian James said at a press conference Monday evening. Upon arrival at Caudill Labs, UNC police found that Yan had been shot.
An Alert Carolina emergency message gave the "all-clear" at 4:14 p.m.
