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Kevin Jiang, 26, was found on Saturday with multiple gunshot wounds.
A Yale University graduate student described by officials as someone who wanted to use his education to “make the world a better place” was found fatally shot near New Haven, Connecticut, the campus and police said ‘They were investigating whether he was targeted.
New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes identified the student killed on Monday as Kevin Jiang, 26, of West Haven and asked for the public’s help in identifying and capturing his killer.
Jiang was a former member of the Army National Guard and a second-year master’s degree student at the Ivy League University’s School of Environment.
“The Yale community is in mourning right now. It is the loss of an extraordinary young man. He is committed to applying his talents to make the world a better place, ”Yale President Peter Salovey said at Monday’s press conference.
Reyes said police received numerous 911 calls on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and responded to the East Rock neighborhood several blocks northeast of the university, where they found Jiang suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. . He said Jiang was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We are investigating whether Mr. Jiang was actually targeted in this incident,” Reyes said. “We have developed information to suggest that this incident may not have been an actual random act, that it was in fact targeted.”
Reyes said police are also investigating whether Jiang was gunned down as a result of a road rage incident.
He said Jiang was driving a vehicle at the time of the shooting and that he knew the area in which the homicide took place, but Reyes declined to say whether Jiang was inside or outside his car. when he was killed.
“We believe he was there for a specific purpose. We just can’t share that at this time,” Reyes said, adding that the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Yale University Police Department were assisting in the investigation.
“We are exploring all the possibilities, including whether or not there was an accident that precipitated this incident or whether or not it was road rage,” Reyes said.
Salovey said that in addition to his studies, Jiang volunteered at a homeless shelter to cook and distribute food. He said Jiang was also conducting research into the mercury levels in fish in the Quinnipiac River watershed and helped manufacturers comply with local and federal environmental laws.
“Kevin has given so much to this community and we have worked together. We remember him fondly. We feel for his family, his fiancee and we express our condolences to them, “said Salovey.” It is a tragedy that has hurt us all. In the days to come, I hope we can focus on the well-being of each other and support each other. “
Jiang’s death marks the sixth homicide in New Haven this year, police said. In 2020, New Haven recorded 122 shootings and 20 homicides, compared to 77 shootings and 11 homicides in 2019, according to Reyes.
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