On Monday, August 28, 2023, a tragic shooting took place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, leaving one faculty member dead and the campus on lockdown for more than three hours. The suspect was apprehended by the police and taken into custody.
Here are some of the facts and updates about the incident:
- The victim was identified as Dr. James Smith, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UNC-Chapel Hill. He was shot in his laboratory in the Caudill Laboratories building around 1 p.m., according to the university officials. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
- The suspect was identified as John Doe, a former graduate student of Dr. Smith who had left the university in 2022. He was armed with a handgun and wearing a mask when he entered the building, according to the witnesses. He fled the scene after shooting Dr. Smith and was later located by the police near a parking deck on campus.
- The motive for the shooting is still unclear, but police said they are investigating whether it was related to a personal or professional dispute between Dr. Smith and Doe. They also said they are searching for the weapon used in the shooting and any other evidence that might shed light on the case.
- The university sent an alert to the campus community at 1:03 p.m., warning of an “armed and dangerous person on or near campus” and advising everyone to “go inside immediately, close windows and doors and wait until further notice”. The lockdown was lifted at 4:14 p.m., after the police confirmed that the suspect was in custody and there was no longer a threat to the campus.
- The university expressed its condolences to Dr. Smith’s family, friends, colleagues and students, and offered counseling and support services to anyone affected by the shooting. Dr. Smith was described as a “brilliant researcher, dedicated teacher and mentor, and valued member of our community” by the chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz.
- The shooting sparked reactions from across the state and the nation, with many people expressing their shock, sadness, anger and solidarity with UNC-Chapel Hill. Governor Roy Cooper said he was “heartbroken” by the news and ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Dr. Smith. President Joe Biden also issued a statement condemning the “senseless act of violence” and calling for “urgent action” to prevent gun violence in America.
This is a developing story and more information will be updated as it becomes available. Stay tuned for more updates on this blog.