Person of Interest Sought In Yale Student Murder

The US Marshals are offering a reward for information leading to the location and arrest of a man they've identified as a "person of interest" in the murder of Kevin Jiang.

Kevin Jiang [Yale News]

Kevin Jiang [Yale News]

By: Michelle Sigona

UPDATE February 17, 2021:

US Marshals say they are searching for 29-year-old Qinxuan Pan for questioning in the case involving Yale University student Kevin Jiang.

On February 6, 2021, police in New Haven, CT said they received "numerous" calls for help near the Yale University campus around 8:30 p.m. New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes said when first responders arrived on the scene, they found the body of a young man who was later identified as Jiang. The 26-year-old was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead in the East Rock neighborhood on Lawrence Street between Nicoll and Nash.

US Marshals say currently Pan is charged with one count of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and interstate theft of a vehicle. Reyes said his investigators are looking into information that this may not be a random act of violence. At this point, it has not been confirmed if Jiang was inside or outside of his vehicle at the time of the murder.

In a Yale News posting President Peter Salovey said, “He (Jiang) was an extraordinary young man, and his loss is a shocking and senseless tragedy for his family, for all who loved him, and for our community.” The university said Jiang was a second-year graduate student in the (YSE) environmental program. Jiang was set to graduate in the fall of 2021.

On February 16, 2021, the Connecticut National Guard laid 2nd Lt. Kevin Jiang to rest.

In a community press conference 48 hours after the incident, Salovey added Jiang was dedicated to helping his community with his volunteer efforts at a local homeless shelter. In addition to distributing food to the homeless, Jiang was also conducting environmental research on the mercury levels in fish. Yale News said, "At YSE, his research focused on tracking mercury levels of fish in the Quinnipiac River Watershed, work that would help inform fish consumption advisories."

Jiang leaves behind a fiance and his loving family. Salovey adds, "In this moment of heartbreak we have to embrace the ways, many ways in which we are all connected. We do that through our commitment through this community."

Pan stands 6 feet tall and weighs 170 pounds. He has a medium complexion and shorter black hair. According to a US Marshals press release, Pan may have connections to Duluth or Brookhaven, GA and could be staying with family or friends.

Pan was last seen on February 11, 2021 with family and he was carrying a black backpack and acting "strange," the US Marshals add.

If you know anything about Jiang's murder, please reach out to US Marshals directly:

1-877-Wanted-2 (1-877-926-8332). Pan should be considered armed and dangerous.

ORIGINAL POST February 10, 2021:

On February 6, 2021, police in New Haven, CT said they received "numerous" calls for help near the Yale University campus around 8:30 p.m. During a Monday press conference, New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes said when first responders arrived on the scene, they found the body of a young man who was later identified as 26-year-old Kevin Jiang. The victim was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead on the scene in the East Rock neighborhood on Lawrence Street between Nicoll and Nash.

Reyes said his investigators are looking into information that this may not be a random act of violence. At this point it has not been confirmed if Jiang was inside or outside of his vehicle at the time of the murder.

President Peter Salovey said Sunday in a Yale News posting, “He was an extraordinary young man, and his loss is a shocking and senseless tragedy for his family, for all who loved him, and for our community.” The university said Jiang was a second-year graduate student in the (YSE) environmental program. He was set to graduate in the fall of 2021.

In a community press conference 48 hours after the incident, Salovey added Jiang was dedicated to helping his community with his volunteer efforts at a local homeless shelter. In addition to distributing food to the homeless, Jiang was also conducting environmental research on the mercury levels in fish. Yale News said, "At YSE, his research focused on tracking mercury levels of fish in the Quinnipiac River Watershed, work that would help inform fish consumption advisories."

Jiang leaves behind a fiance and his loving family. Salovey adds, "In this moment of heartbreak we have to embrace the ways, many ways in which we are all connected. We do that through our commitment through this community."

If you know anything about Jiang's murder, please reach out to police directly: 866-888-TIPS.

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