PRESS RELEASE
QUEENS WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN DEATH OF IMMIGRATION LAWYER STABBED IN HIS FLUSHING OFFICE
March 16, 2022

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that XiaoNing Zhang, 25, has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon in the death of a well-known Queens immigration lawyer. The defendant allegedly repeatedly stabbed the 66-year-old man late Monday morning in the victim’s office on 39th Avenue in Flushing.

District Attorney Katz said, “As alleged, the defendant showed up in her lawyer’s office armed with two knives and, in an outburst of rage, stabbed the victim repeatedly throughout his body. Violence is never the solution to any dispute. Now a man is dead and a community grieving this tragic loss. The defendant is in custody and faces very serious charges for this senseless slaying.”

Zhang, of Kissena Boulevard in Flushing, Queens was arraigned last night before Queens Criminal Court Judge Jerry Iannece on a complaint charging her with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Judge Iannece ordered the defendant to return to Court on March 18, 2022. If convicted, Zhang faces up to 25 years-to-life in prison.

According to the charges, police responded to a 911 call of an assault in progress at 136-56 39th Ave. in Flushing, Queens, around noon yesterday. In an office on the fourth floor, police found Jim Li bleeding from multiple puncture wounds to his neck, shoulders and torso. The 66-year-old immigration lawyer was rushed to a nearby hospital but died as a result of the injuries.

DA Katz said the defendant was still in the victim’s office when police arrived. Zhang’s clothes allegedly were stained with blood, and two knives were recovered, including one found in the woman’s jacket pocket.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Shaquan Harvin of the New York City Police Department’s Queens Homicide Squad.

Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Zawistowski, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Peter J. McCormack III and John Kosinski, Senior Deputy Bureau Chiefs, Karen Ross, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Daniel A. Saunders.

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• Xiaoning Zhang, 25, is said to have stabbed Jinjin Li, 66, to death on Monday in New York City where he worked as an immigration lawyer
• The murder took place on 39th Avenue near 138th St in Flushing, Queens, at about 11.40 am
• Xiaoning Zhang, 25, was taken into custody and faces a murder charge and weapon possession
• She is said to have attacked Li during a prior visit to his office last week, after the student was told by Li that he would not help her apply for asylum

A Chinese student has appeared in court charged with murdering an activist lawyer when he said he would stop working with her by stabbing him to death.

Xiaoning Zhang, 25, is said to have stabbed Jinjin Li, 66, to death on Monday in New York City where he worked as an immigration lawyer.

Queens County Criminal Court heard that two knives were found at the scene and one was in Zhang’s pocket. She told police that she carries a knife for protection.

The murder took place on 39th Avenue near 138th St in Flushing, Queens, at about 11.40 am, before Li was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital where he died from wounds to neck and chest later in the same day.

Xiaoning Zhang, 25, was taken into custody and faces a murder charge and weapon possession.