Chinese scientist who was making breakthrough on coronavirus in US shot dead in ‘murder-suicide’

Bing Liu, 37, a research assistant professor, was shot to death Saturday in his suburban Pittsburgh home. It is reported that he knew his killer, a man who walked to his car afterward and killed himself.

Liu’s research centers on computational systems biology, and his coronavirus research was leading to significant breakthroughs.

“Bing was on the verge of making very significant findings toward understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie SARS-CoV-2 infection and the cellular basis of the following complications,” the biology department said in a statement. “We will make an effort to complete what he started in an effort to pay homage to his scientific excellence.”

Liu suffered gunshot wounds to his head, neck, and torso in the incident, which happened around noon, according to reports. He was from China and lived with his wife, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported.

The motive for the shooting is unknown.

Ivet Bahar, the head of Liu’s department, told the paper Liu was a very talented, extremely intelligent, and hard-working individual.

“He has been contributing to several scientific projects, publishing in high-profile journals,” Bahar said. “He was someone whom we all liked very much, a very gentle, very helpful, kind person, very generous.”

She added, “We are all shocked to learn what happened to him. This was very unexpected.”

The police are still investigating whether there was any confrontation leading up to the shooting. Sgt. Kohlhepp said that Liu’s home did not appear to be ransacked.

One of Liu’s neighbours, who declined to disclose their name, said he did not know of anyone in the neighbourhood who knew Liu very well. Others in the neighbourhood said they did not hear any gunshot nor any other sounds the day of Mr. Liu’s death.