David Zhu, an Arizona State University professor of management and entrepreneurship, was arrested on August 17, 2024, and charged with fatally shooting his wife, Susan Yijuan Yan, at the couple’s Scottsdale home. The charge was later upgraded to first-degree premeditated murder, and he has been held in the Maricopa County Jail on a $1 million cash bond.1Fox 10 Phoenix. ASU Prof David Zhu Accused of Killing Wife Due in Court
What Happened at the Scottsdale Home
Scottsdale police were called around 6:30 p.m. on August 17, 2024, to a home on North 128th Way south of Shea Boulevard. Officers found Susan Yijuan Yan, 46, unresponsive in a hallway outside the master bedroom with two shotgun blast wounds in her back. Two spent shotgun shells were recovered at the scene. Yan was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.2Scottsdale Digital Edition. David Hongquan Zhu Arrested in Scottsdale Shooting3Your Valley. Scottsdale Police Identify Woman Shot in Her Home
The couple’s two children, a 19-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son, were inside the house. Both said they heard screams and gunfire. The son climbed over a back wall to reach neighbors for help. Court documents described a “screaming fight” between the couple before the shooting, and stated that Zhu admitted hitting Yan during the argument.2Scottsdale Digital Edition. David Hongquan Zhu Arrested in Scottsdale Shooting4Fox 13 Seattle. Husband Shoots, Kills His Wife Inside Scottsdale Home
Zhu’s 911 Call and Statements to Police
Zhu called 911 himself. According to the police report, when the 911 operator introduced the word “accidental,” Zhu agreed with it.2Scottsdale Digital Edition. David Hongquan Zhu Arrested in Scottsdale Shooting As officers took him into custody, he reportedly told them, “I was trying to shoot the wall behind her.”5Court TV. ASU Business Professor Accused of Fatally Shooting Wife He then declined to speak further with investigators.
Reported History of Domestic Violence
The police report said Zhu had a history of domestic violence and had previously made threats against others as well as threats of suicide. The couple’s children told investigators there had been “frequent domestic violence between their parents over the years.” The police affidavit noted that “neither child expressed any surprise that David had shot and killed their mother.”6Law and Crime. Renowned Professor Who Killed Wife With Shotgun Blast Claims Accident No specific prior police calls or protective orders involving the couple were detailed in the available reporting.
The Charges and Where the Case Stands
Zhu was initially arrested on charges of second-degree intentional murder and disorderly conduct with a weapon.2Scottsdale Digital Edition. David Hongquan Zhu Arrested in Scottsdale Shooting Prosecutors later upgraded the charge to first-degree premeditated murder. He was booked into the Maricopa County Jail and held on a $1 million cash bond.4Fox 13 Seattle. Husband Shoots, Kills His Wife Inside Scottsdale Home
A preliminary hearing was initially set for August 27, 2024, in Maricopa County Superior Court. As of July 2025, Zhu was reported to be due back in court for further proceedings, and no trial date had been publicly set. There is no reporting that he posted the $1 million bond or was released from custody.1Fox 10 Phoenix. ASU Prof David Zhu Accused of Killing Wife Due in Court
Who Susan Yijuan Yan Was
Yan was born on November 11, 1977, in Shanggao, Jiangxi province, China. She moved to the United States in September 2002 and had lived in Arizona since July 2009. She and Zhu had two children, identified in her obituary as Sunny and Jason.7Messinger Mortuary. Susan Yijuan Yan Obituary Scottsdale police crisis intervention services were made available to the family after the shooting.3Your Valley. Scottsdale Police Identify Woman Shot in Her Home
ASU’s Response
At the time of his arrest, Zhu held the title of Professor and Dean’s Council Distinguished Scholar in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business, where he had taught since 2009. He also served as faculty director of W.P. Carey’s DBA program in China.8Arizona State University. David Zhu Faculty Profile
After the arrest, ASU placed Zhu on administrative leave and barred him from campus and all university activities. A university spokesperson said the school was proceeding with a “personnel process” in accordance with Arizona Board of Regents policies.9New York Post. ASU Business Professor David Zhu Accused of Killing His Wife The university declined to comment on his tenure or long-term employment status.10The State Press. Professor Zhu Arrested