An Arizona State University professor, David Zhu, 47, is facing charges of first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of his wife, Susan Yijuan Yan, 46, in their home. The incident occurred on a Saturday evening when Scottsdale police responded to a shooting report. Court records indicate that Zhu admitted to shooting his wife while their children were present in the house.
Upon arrival, the police discovered a scene of disarray with shattered glass and a single gunshot hole in a wall. Zhu’s wife was found unresponsive, lying face-up in a hallway outside the master bedroom. She had sustained a gunshot wound to her shoulder and upper back and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The police also found two spent shotgun shells in the hallway and an unspent shell in the master bedroom, along with a shotgun. A rifle was also discovered in the master bedroom closet. Zhu was taken into custody and reportedly stated, without being prompted, that he had intended to shoot the wall behind his wife.
The couple’s children provided further insight into the family dynamics, revealing a history of domestic violence between their parents. They reported hearing a heated argument followed by two gunshots on the night of the incident. The children’s statements indicated that they were not surprised by their father’s actions.
In the wake of the tragedy, ASU representatives expressed their condolences to those affected and announced that Zhu would be placed on administrative leave. He has also been banned from the campus and from participating in any university activities.
Zhu, a faculty member in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, is known for his research on strategic decision-making, diversity in leadership, innovation, corporate governance, and corporate strategy. His work has been published in leading academic journals and has earned him several international awards. As the faculty director of W.P. Carey’s DBA program in China, Zhu has provided professional advice to numerous top executives worldwide.
Zhu is currently being held on a $1 million bond at the Maricopa County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.