Jim Li, a lawyer in Queens and Tiananmen Square protester in 1989, was stabbed to death by a client
Jim Li, 66, moved to the United States in the early 90s after serving a year and eight months in Qincheng Prison, a maximum security prison in Beijing, China. He became an immigration attorney, often serving members of the community with professional services, Li’s friend Wayne Zhu told CNN.
On Monday, Li was allegedly stabbed four times in the neck and body by Xiaoning Zhang, 25, according to the New York Police Department. He was taken to Elmhurst hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Zhang has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, according to the criminal complaint. Zhang’s attorney did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.
According to police, Li has been Zhang’s lawyer for about two months. What led to the attack is still under investigation, Detective Adam Navarro said. Police recovered two knives at the scene of the incident.
Zhu, Li’s friend, said Zhang and Li had a verbal argument on March 11 over her asylum case, which led to a police response. Li did not want Zhang to be arrested and urged the police to “let her go”, Zhu said.
“I don’t know why she became so angry,” Zhu said. “She came back (March 14) with two knives.”
Violent crime on the rise in New York City
New York City has seen an increase in violent crime in recent weeks, with NYPD records increasing in every major crime category last month, compared with the same period in 2021.
In February 2022, homicides increased by 10.3%, felony assaults increased by 22.3% and overall crime increased by nearly 59% from a year ago, according to a new Crime Statistics report. of the NYPD.
Adams said on Tuesday, public safety starts with the right leadership, explaining that there should be no “trade-off” for safety and justice.
“I’m not going to let the loudest minority decide how we keep our cities safe now and what we’re going to do in the long run,” Adams said on an episode of “You and Me Both” podcast. “I always tell people, that’s not what happens in tweets, it’s what happens on our streets.”
Li is among at least 27 people who have been murdered in New York City this year, statistics show. Zhu said Li’s loss will be felt throughout the community, especially because of his support for recent immigrants from China.
“He is a wonderful man. He has helped many people. Many of them, they are from China and cannot get a lawyer. He has provided professional services (to people) that are not allowed. he didn’t know before,” Zhu said.