ASU Business Professor Involved in Shocking Allegations Shakes Community

Arizona State University is reeling after a respected professor is accused of committing an unthinkable crime.

At a Glance

David Zhu, business professor at ASU, arrested for killing his wife.
Incident took place on a Saturday evening in Scottsdale.
ASU has placed Zhu on administrative leave.
Zhu was charged with first-degree murder and held on $1 million bond.
Police found Zhu’s wife shot twice in the back.

Horrific Incident Shakes Academic Community

David Zhu, a long-standing professor at Arizona State University (ASU), is in custody after being accused of the murder of his wife. The incident occurred on a Saturday evening near North 128th Way in Scottsdale, Arizona, thrusting the academic community and local residents into a state of shock. Scottsdale police responded to reports of a shooting around 6:30 p.m. They found Zhu’s wife with a gunshot wound; she later succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital.

David Zhu holds the position of “Professor & Dean’s Council Distinguished Scholar” in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business. He has been with the institution for a decade. Shortly after the incident, ASU placed Zhu on administrative leave, barring him from campus and university-related activities to ensure the safety and integrity of the academic environment.

ASU professor charged in wife's murder in Scottsdale home. #azfamily https://t.co/DrKSvdOqNt

— David Caltabiano (@DavidCaltabiano) August 19, 2024

Details of the Incident

The crime scene on that fateful evening was unsettling. Police discovered two spent shotgun shells and several firearms in the house. Investigators noted that two teenage children were present at the time of the incident, both reporting a “screaming fight” before hearing two shots. According to court records, one of the children ran to a neighbor’s house to call 911, while Zhu also made a 911 call, claiming the shooting was accidental.

“I was trying to shoot the wall behind her,” Zhu stated when questioned by the police. The claim failed to align with the physical evidence, as Zhu’s wife was shot twice in the back with a shotgun. Following the incident, Zhu was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He is currently held in a Maricopa County jail on a $1 million cash bond.

A man who is identified as an ASU professor shot and killed his wife in Scottsdale on Saturday night, the police department said. https://t.co/yMO0bpBpwF

— KTVU (@KTVU) August 20, 2024

Community Reactions and University Response

Arizona State University has expressed its condolences to all affected by this tragedy and emphasized its commitment to ensuring a safe academic environment. “Our condolences go out to all those affected by this tragedy,” stated university representatives. Students and faculty have shown a range of emotions, from shock to disbelief, upon hearing the news. One student commented, “My jaw literally dropped,” capturing the community’s collective shock.

“Neither child expressed any surprise that David had shot and killed their mother,” police wrote in the court documents. This alarming detail has led to increased scrutiny of Zhu’s past behavior. Reports indicate a history of domestic violence involving threats of murder or suicide, raising questions about the safety and well-being of those in his household.

Zhu’s Academic Influence and Future Outlook

Despite his positive professional reputation, the allegations have irrevocably tarnished Zhu’s standing. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and was set to teach nine courses in the upcoming fall semester at ASU. Zhu’s contributions to scholarly journals and his influence as an educator now stand in stark contrast to the heinous nature of the allegations against him.

As the investigation continues, support services for victims of domestic violence have been spotlighted, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The community remains in a state of mourning and reflection as they grapple with the impact of this tragic event. The circumstances and Zhao’s history point to broader issues of domestic violence, necessitating greater community and institutional awareness and intervention.