News Release

Five released from hospital; police investigation ongoing in Pit incident

CHAPEL HILL – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill police continue to investigate a mid-day incident in which a silver Jeep drove through the common area known on campus as the Pit.

Five of the six people who were taken to UNC Hospitals have been released after being treated for minor injuries, hospital officials said. The sixth person is not expected to be admitted. Three other people declined treatment on the scene.

Campus police have arrested a suspect. He is identified as Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar (pron. Mo-hahm’-mid Reh’-za Tah-ur-Eh-zar’), 22, of 303 Smith Level Rd., Apt. D34, Carrboro. He is a December 2005 UNC graduate. Police said their intent at this time is to charge the suspect with nine counts of attempted first-degree murder and nine counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill. UNC police are in possession of the vehicle he was driving, a late model Jeep Cherokee. The initial report came in at 11:53 a.m.

Student affairs staff and counselors have been providing support to students who watched the scene unfold and will continue to be available through the weekend. Faculty, staff and students may seek counseling assistance from the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services, 966-3658.

UNC police asked that anyone with information regarding today’s incident call 962-8100.

The Pit is located in an open area surrounded by two libraries, a dining hall and the Frank Porter Graham Student Union.

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Contact: News Services staff, (919) 962-2091