UNC Chapel-Hill Campus on High Alert: Urgent 911 Call Reveals Active Shooter
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel-Hill campus was put on high alert on Monday afternoon after an urgent 911 call revealed an active shooter on campus. The shocking incident took place in Caudill Labs, where shots were fired, leaving the entire campus in a state of panic.
The 911 call, obtained by the ABC11 I-Team, captures the tense moments immediately after the gunfire erupted. A distressed woman can be heard desperately pleading with the operator to notify the campus about the imminent threat.
With an urgent tone in her voice, she urged the operator, You need to lock the campus down. I see students walking past this building left and right. I don’t know where he went from. In the background, the caller encouraged those nearby to seek shelter and stay safe.
Realizing the severity of the situation, the woman wasted no time providing vital information about the suspected shooter. I know who the student is, she revealed. She then spelled out the suspect’s name, Tailei Qi, and disclosed that he was armed and currently on campus. The caller even directed the dispatcher to Qi’s photo on UNC’s website, helping law enforcement identify the assailant.
Tragically, Dr. Zijie Yan, an associate professor at the university and Qi’s academic group leader, was killed in the attack. Qi has since been charged with his murder.
In response to the incident, UNC quickly acted to protect its students and staff. The first campus-wide alert about an armed and dangerous individual was issued at 1:03 p.m. However, it wasn’t until over three hours later, at 4:14 p.m., that campus police declared an all-clear, causing some students to question the school’s alert protocols and communication during the lockdown.
UNC Police Chief Brian James addressed these concerns during a news conference, stating that the university had followed all established protocols. Nevertheless, the incident has prompted a reevaluation of safety measures and communication systems on campus.
In the wake of Dr. Zijie Yan’s untimely death, the UNC community came together in mourning. The UNC Bell Tower rang out in memory of the esteemed professor, a poignant tribute to a life lost too soon.
As the campus recovers from this tragic event, the focus now turns towards ensuring the safety and security of students and faculty. The UNC administration is committed to implementing any necessary improvements in their protocols to create a more secure environment for all.
