Pitt coronavirus researcher killed in likely murder-suicide
Ross police say an incident Saturday that left two men dead from gunshot wounds likely was a murder-suicide.
Both men were found dead at The Mews of Town North, a condominium complex near McKnight Road, according to Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp.
The shootings occurred around 12:15 p.m.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified one of the victims as Bing Liu, 37, of Ross. Liu was a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine, where he had been involved in coronavirus research, according to the university.
The man suspected by police to have killed Liu was identified by the medical examiner as Hao Gu, 46, of Pittsburgh. The medical examiner has not yet released an official cause and manner of Gu’s death.
Liu was found dead inside his home on Elm Court in The Mews from gunshot wounds to the head, neck, torso and extremities, Kohlhepp said.
The medical examiner ruled Liu’s death a homicide.
Gu was found in his car along Charlemagne Circle, which is near Liu’s home. He was dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the detective.
“The males are both known to each other,” Kohlhepp said. “Investigative leads developed throughout the weekend have led us to believe that the male from the car shot and killed the man in the town home before returning to his car and taking his own life.”
Liu was a research assistant professor in the Computational and Systems Biology department at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Liu’s area of expertise was computational modeling and analysis of biological system dynamics. He was praised as a “prolific researcher” and “an excellent mentor.”
“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 department said in a post on its website. “We will make an effort to complete what he started in an effort to pay homage to his scientific excellence.
“His loss will be felt throughout the entire scientific community.”
Staff writer Brian C. Rittmeyer contributed to this report.
Tony LaRussa is a TribLive reporter. A Pittsburgh native, he covers crime and courts in the Alle-Kiski Valley. He can be reached at tlarussa@triblive.com.
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