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Topics: Mohammed Taheri-Azar

On March 3, 2006, Mohammed Reza Taheri-Azar, a 2005 UNC graduate, drove a SUV through the Pit, hitting nine and sending six to UNC Hospitals. He entered the Pit via the walkway between Greenlaw Hall and Lenoir Dining Hall, accelerated the rented silver Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo through the congested commons area, and exited through the walkway between Davis Library and Lenoir. In comments made after his arrest, Taheri-Azar said that the attack was an attempt to “avenge the deaths of Muslims around the world” in which he hoped to kill Americans. He then called 911 and waited at Plant and Hillview roads, where he was arrested.

Taheri-Azar pleaded guilty to nine counts of attempted first-degree murder. Superior Court Judge Carl Fox consolidated the nine counts into two for sentencing purposes. Thirteen days later, Taheri-Azar was sentenced to 26 to 33 years in prison, the longest term possible for someone with no previous record of felonies. He declined to comment or apologize throughout the trial, and requested that his lawyer refrain from doing so as well.