SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Newly released court documents are shedding more light on the murder of a woman in Scottsdale, allegedly at the hands of her husband, a professor at Arizona State University.
Scottsdale police responded to a home in a gated community in east Scottsdale on Saturday night just after 6:30 p.m. A 911 operator spoke with David Zhu, who told them he had just shot his wife. According to his bio on ASU's website, he is a Professor & Dean's Council Distinguished Scholar for the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Niños declaran que había 'violencia doméstica frecuente' en el hogar del profesor de ASU arrestado por asesinato
Court records say the 911 operator introduced the word "accidental" during the shooting and Zhu agreed that it was. He told police that he was trying to "shoot the wall behind her." His wife, 46-year-old Susan Yan, lay on the floor outside their master bedroom with two gunshot wounds to the back from a shotgun.
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The couple's two children, a 14-year-old boy and a 19-year-old girl, were inside the home at the time of the shooting, but were unharmed, court documents say.
During an interview with detectives, they provided statements telling of "frequent domestic violence between their parents over many years." They reported hearing a "screaming fight" between their parents before hearing two gunshots inside the home, court records say.
David Zhu appears to have no prior criminal history. After a search of both criminal and civil cases in Maricopa County, neither Zhu or Yan are defendants or victims in any case.
Jenna Panas, the CEO of Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, says incidents of domestic violence are often underreported.
“If they leave, they might lose their children, might lose their home, might lose their security," Panas said of why people may not leave an abusive relationship. "Also, there are a lot of times cultural reasons for staying whether that is just a culture that values marriage and permanence.”
Panas says another barrier for victims of domestic violence is often a feeling that they won't be believed if they do report it.
“The most important thing you can do is when somebody comes forward to believe them and to not say, Oh, he's a professor, he's wonderful, it couldn't possibly be happening to you. You must have misunderstood this," Panas said. "We see that perpetrators often get away with it because they're perceived as charismatic and good.”
During a hearing over the weekend, a Maricopa County Judge set a $1 million cash-only bond for Zhu while he awaits trial. If released, he will be required to wear an ankle monitor.
ASU released a statement on the shooting saying: "Our condolences go out to all those affected by this tragedy."
Resources for help with domestic violence
If you or someone you know may be a victim of domestic violence, there are resources available. Below are two numbers to call for those seeking help.
Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Helpline: 602-279-2980
To access shelter and safety in Maricopa County: 480-890-3039
www.arizonasurvivors.org for services across the state
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