Tributes paid to slain graduate

Zheng Shaoxiong, a recent graduate of the University of Chicago who was shot dead in a robbery this month, was remembered as a creative and dedicated researcher at an on-campus memorial on Thursday.

The 24-year-old was fatally shot on Nov 9 in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood, while he was walking home from campus. The suspect Alton Spann, 18, was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in the killing.

A native of Leshan in Sichuan province, Zheng, who also went by the name Dennis, went to the University of Chicago after graduating from the University of Hong Kong. He received a master's degree in statistics in June and wanted to be a data scientist.

The hourlong memorial, livestreamed by the university, was attended by the university's officials, Zheng's professors and his parents who came from China, as well as members of the campus community, where they shared memories of Zheng.

"In addition to being a prominent and enthusiastic scholar, and a valued colleague, Dennis was a dear friend to so many people both here on campus and beyond," the university's president, Paul Alivisatos, said at the memorial. "I've been told of his kindness, his generosity, the light, and positivity he brought to everything he did."

Zheng was praised for his "creativity" and "dedication" by Dan Nicolae, chair of the statistics department, who collaborated with Zheng on his research thesis on machine learning methods for gene regulatory networks.

"He asked countless questions in and outside of the classroom. He debated on statistical reasoning and statistical methods, and he often challenged the status quo. When faced with adversity, he showed greater determination and emerged stronger," said Nicolae.

'What a cruel tragedy'

Zheng's mother Li Rong was the last of the speakers at the service. "This is the first time that your mom ever traveled outside of China. But this is not for sightseeing, not for attending your graduation ceremony, and not for your wedding, but for your funeral. What a cruel tragedy," Li told her son in Chinese.

Li said she was shocked and heartbroken when she learned of her son's death. In the midst of her grief, she said, she shares the concerns of thousands of mothers of Chinese students for the safety of their children in the US. Together, they are united in the same demand－bring the murderer to justice.

"I hereby call for action that we need to make sure that every single foreign student's safety be protected, and we must prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again," she said. "This is the demand from thousands of foreign students and their families as well."

Zheng's murder has sparked protests from students demanding more safety measures from the university.

In response to the tragedy, leaders from the University of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department held discussions on Wednesday to address campus safety and security. Measures the university will take include increasing patrols in the area and the use of security cameras and license-plate readers, as well as adding transportation options for the university community.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety and lawful rights of its citizens living overseas, said Bian Zhichun, deputy Chinese consul general in Chicago. China demands that the US authorities investigate Zheng's murder and take concrete measures to ensure the safety of all Chinese nationals, she said.

Chinese Ambassador to the US Qin Gang sent his "deep condolences" to Zheng's parents.

"We call for justice in his case and protection of Chinese in US from hatred and xenophobia," he said.