CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A faculty member has died after a shooting on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the university confirmed. The campus was on lockdown for hours after reports of an armed and dangerous person on or near campus Monday afternoon.
In a message to the campus community, Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz said UNC Police were notified that shots had been fired in Caudill Labs, located on campus near multiple libraries and the student union, just after 1 p.m. Around 2:30 p.m., the suspect was apprehended.
Around 4:15 p.m., UNC shared the all clear notice with the community, but told people to avoid Caudill Labs. UNC Police said Caudill Labs will remain closed until further notice as evidence is processed.
The university is waiting for confirmation that the faculty member's family has been notified before releasing further information about their identity.
"I am devastated and saddened by today’s shooting in one of our campus buildings, a place where we conduct our important work of teaching, mentoring and research every day," Guskiewicz said in the message to the campus community. "This shooting damages the trust and safety that we so often take for granted on our campus. We will work to rebuild that trust and safety. Our hearts are with the family of our fellow faculty member, those who are personally connected to the victim and those traumatized by this senseless act of violence."
UNC officials canceled all on-campus events and classes for the rest of the day Monday and Tuesday.
Speaking at a news conference Monday, Guskiewicz said it was "a tragic day for our campus community."
UNC Police said having the suspect in custody will give police an opportunity to learn more about the motive and learn information that will help authorities prevent another incident from happening on campus. The investigation is expected to continue for several weeks.
UNC Police are still looking for the weapon that was used. Officials said no other injuries were reported.
Aiden Scott, a UNC grad student and former classmate of Qi's, spoke with WRAL News about working on a project together with Qi.
"I would have never guessed that he would be the kind of person who could possibly be capable of this kind of thing," Scott said. "He was always very quiet."
The initial campus alert was issued before 1 p.m. University police advised all students, faculty and staff to:
- Go inside immediately.
- Close windows and doors.
- Stay until further notice.
- Follow directions from emergency responders or University officials.
Sirens sounded to make the campus community aware. Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted he had been in communication with authorities and pledged any state resources necessary to protect the UNC campus.
"For the past 30 minutes we've been in a room under shelter," a student told WRAL. "It's a very stressful time and we're trying to stay together and just stay calm."
The university said support is available for all students, faculty and staff as they grieve and process the shooting. UNC is opening a hotline at 8 a.m. Tuesday for "concerned parents, loved ones and community members who have questions." That hotline can be reached at 919-918-1999.
WRAL News contributed to this story. Click here for more from WRAL.
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