Authorities charged Haiyang Zhu with murder in connection with the death of fellow graduate student Xin Yang at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia, on January 21, 2009. Authorities say the 25-year-old Zhu attacked Yang with a knife, decapitating her. According to a police affadavit, officers found Zhu at the scene holding Yang's severed head. He was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder.CNN: Killer decapitates Va. Tech student, police say (January 22, 2009) Sky News: Virginia Tech Student Decapitated (January 23, 2009)
After undergoing a mental evaluation at the Central State Hospital in Virginia, doctors have determined that Zhu can stand trial for first degree murder. A preliminary hearing is set for May 29.FOXNews.com: Virginia Tech Suspect Competent to Stand Trial, Doctors Say (May 21, 2009)
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"The suspect is in custody and the nature of the incident points to an isolated, very personal tragedy. Our hearts go out to the victim and her family. An act of violence like this one brings back memories of the April 16 tragedy and I have no doubt that many of us feel especially distraught. Once again we are challenged as a community to offer support to one another as we process this recent event. Once again we will rise to the occasion."—Charles W. Steger, Virginia Tech University president, in a letter to the campus communityVirginia Tech University: Letter from President Steger to the campus...
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Fast Facts
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Haiyang Zhu accused of decapitating Xin Yang at Virginia Tech University
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Attack occurred on the evening of Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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911 call came in at 7
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Zhu and Yang were both graduate students at Virginia Tech
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Virginia Tech was the site of a deadly April 2007 massacre that killed 32 peopleFOX News: Virginia Tech Student Stabbed to Death on Campus
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The January 2009 attack at the Graduate Life Center sent the campus into an immediate lockdown
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