Orange County Judge Allen Baddour ruled that Tailei Qi, the doctoral student charged with killing UNC professor Dr. Zijie Yan, understands the charges against him and can participate in his own defense.
Qi appeared in court alongside his two attorneys and a Mandarin interpreter. Prosecutors told the court their competency finding relied heavily on a recent mental health evaluation completed at Central Regional Hospital.
Judge Baddour questioned Qi directly during the hearing, asking whether he understood the charges he faces. Qi responded that he did.
Defense attorneys told the court they intend to pursue an insanity defense. As a result, Judge Baddour ordered an additional evaluation at Central Regional Hospital-this time focusing on Qi's mental state at the time of the 2023 shooting inside UNC's Caudill Labs, where Dr. Yan was killed.
Qi was arrested on campus shortly after the shooting, which locked down much of UNC Chapel Hill and prompted a massive law enforcement response.
Further hearings will be scheduled as the new evaluation is completed.