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UA grad student charged with attempted murder

Arizona Summer Wildcat

Man's ex-girlfriend released from UMC yesterday

The woman attacked last Wednesday by her ex-boyfriend - a UA doctoral student - with a vegetable cleaver was released from the University Medical Center yesterday.

Her attacker, Wei Zhao, 25, a University of Arizona physics doctoral student has been charged with first degree attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping.

Zhao is now waiting for a date for him to appear before a grand jury, which is expected to happen soon.

"It's hard to say (when a date will be set), somewhere in this next week," said Sgt. Marco Borboa, Tucson Police Department spokesman.

Wiu Liu, 23, was attacked at about 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the University Place Apartments - 724 E. Ninth St. - while meeting with Zhao.

The two had a relationship when they lived in China and Zhao wanted to reestablish that relationship, Borboa said. Zhao had arrived from China four days prior to the attack.

At the beginning of the altercation, Zhao grabbed Liu and held and hugged her tightly, preventing her movement.

When Liu pushed away from Zhao, he went to the kitchen and grabbed a vegetable cleaver. He then went after Liu, inflicting "slashing wounds," described Pila Martinez, UMC spokeswoman.

Lacerations were inflicted on Liu's upper back, arms, face and hands.

The attack continued until a neighbor and a visitor heard Liu's screams and rushed to restrain Zhao, Borboa said.

The visitor pushed Zhao to the ground, forced the cleaver out of his hand and held him till Tucson police arrived shortly after.

The initial charges against Zhao were only aggravated assault and kidnapping, and the attempted murder was added on Friday after detectives had time to interview Liu, Borboa said.