For Immediate Release
August 29, 2023

(Croton Falls, NY): According to news accounts, yesterday afternoon a graduate student entered the Caudill Laboratory on the campus of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and shot and killed Associate Professor Zijie Yan.  Professor Yan was the alleged shooter’s academic advisor. This incident continues to be a developing story.

Andy Pelosi, Executive Director of The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus issued the following statement in response to yesterday shooting at UNC – Chapel Hill:

“The Campaign first extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family of Professor Yan, to the students, faculty and staff at UNC – Chapel Hill. We are grateful for the swift law enforcement response that resulted in apprehending the shooter.

The shooting at Caudill Labs occurred on the first day of the university’s second week of classes. It was also the first day for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

Yesterday’s tragic campus shooting robbed the campus community of a dedicated faculty member, traumatized college students and faculty on campus, as well as forced younger students and faculty at the local Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools to go into lockdown.  The Campaign is particularly horrified to see video of students literally jumping out of campus windows to escape with their lives.

Our nation is awash in firearms, killing over 40,000 people every year.  Our institutions of education, whether they be pre-school, K-12 , college or university, must be safe havens for learning. We cannot allow campus firearm incidents to become normalized events and we cannot expect our students and educators to continue to be traumatized by these events.  Our local, state and federal officials must act decisively to stem the proliferation of guns on campus and resist cowering to the power of the gun lobby that enables the uncontrolled spread of firearms.”

The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill has created support services for faculty and students.  See information below:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support is available online through GuidanceConnect. You may also call (877) 314-5841 to make an appointment with a counselor.

Additionally, the University has set up a hotline for students, faculty, staff, parents and the community to address concerns and questions. It can be accessed by calling (919) 918-1999.

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ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN TO KEEP GUNS OFF CAMPUS

The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus works with K-12 schools, colleges and universities across the country to oppose legislative policies that would force loaded, concealed guns on campuses. Since 2008, The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus is the only national organization of its kind tasked with protecting higher educational institutions and the communities they serve. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Contact:  Andy Pelosi, The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus (914-629-6726) [email protected]