An Arizona State University business professor faces murder charges after allegedly fatally shooting his wife in their Scottsdale home, leaving the academic community in shock.
At a Glance
- David Zhu, ASU business professor, arrested for fatally shooting his wife
- Incident occurred Saturday evening in Scottsdale home
- Two teenage children were present during the shooting
- Zhu has a history of domestic violence and threats
- ASU has placed Zhu on administrative leave and barred him from campus
Tragic Incident Shocks ASU Community
On Saturday evening, the tranquility of a Scottsdale neighborhood was shattered when David Zhu, a respected professor at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business, allegedly shot and killed his wife. The incident occurred near North 128th Way around 6:30 p.m., sending shockwaves through the academic community and beyond.
Scottsdale police responded to reports of a shooting and found a woman with gunshot wounds. The victim, later identified as Susan Yijuan Yan, 46, was rushed to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Zhu, a “Professor & Dean’s Council Distinguished Scholar” who has been with ASU for 10 years, was arrested at the scene.
Disturbing Details Emerge
Court records reveal a troubling history of domestic violence in the Zhu household. The couple’s two teenage children, aged 19 and 14, were present during the incident and reported hearing a “screaming fight” followed by two gunshots. In a chilling detail, investigators noted that “Neither child expressed any surprise that David had shot and killed their mother,” according to court documents.
Zhu allegedly claimed the shooting was accidental, telling authorities he “was trying to shoot the wall behind her.” However, the discovery of two spent shotgun shells and multiple firearms at the scene, along with the fact that Yan was shot twice in the back, cast doubt on this explanation.
University and Community Response
Arizona State University swiftly responded to the tragedy, placing Zhu on administrative leave and barring him from campus activities. The university expressed condolences to those affected by the incident, stating, “Our condolences go out to all those affected by this tragedy.”
Students at ASU expressed shock and disbelief upon learning of the allegations against their professor. One student remarked, “My jaw literally dropped,” while another stated, “That’s … that’s shocking.” The incident has undoubtedly cast a pall over the campus as the fall semester approaches.
Legal Proceedings and Support
Zhu has been booked into a Maricopa County jail on suspicion of one count of homicide, with bond set at $1 million. As the legal process unfolds, the Scottsdale Police Department has assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community, describing the incident as isolated.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of domestic violence in our society. Support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline for those who may be experiencing similar situations. As the ASU community grapples with this shocking turn of events, the focus now turns to supporting the victim’s family and ensuring justice is served.
Sources:
- Who is ASU Professor David Zhu? Arizona Man Accused of Killing Wife
- ASU professor accused of shooting and killing his wife, Scottsdale Police say
- Scottsdale man held in wife’s fatal shooting is ASU business school prof
- Arizona State University business professor accused of fatally shooting his wife
- ASU professor accused of killing his wife in Scottsdale
- ASU professor accused of killing wife at Scottsdale home
