An image from the scene of the stabbing on March 14 (Photo via Citizen)
April 13, 2022 By Christian Murray
A Flushing woman who allegedly stabbed an immigration attorney to death in the victim’s law office last month has been indicted on murder and weapons charges, authorities said.
XiaoNing Zhang, 25, was arraigned Wednesday on a six-count indictment for allegedly stabbing Jim Li, a 66-year-old immigration attorney, to death in his 136-56 39th Ave. office at around noon on March 14.
Zhang, of Kissena Boulevard, faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
According to the charges, Zhang showed up at Li’s fourth-floor office and got into a heated argument with him. The dispute boiled over and Zhang, who had two knives in her possession, allegedly stabbed Li in the neck, shoulders and torso.
Li was transported by EMS to NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst but could not be saved. Zhang was still in the office when responding police arrived on the scene and her clothes were stained with blood.
John Li, pictured, was stabbed to death March 14 (Photo: John Li and Associates)
According to multiple reports, the stabbing stemmed from a previous argument that took place at the law firm just days prior. Zhang allegedly got into a dispute with Li after he refused to take up an asylum case for her.
“As alleged, this was a brutal attack that ended in tragedy,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement. “The defendant showed up in her attorney’s office armed with two knives and stabbed the victim repeatedly in the neck shoulders and torso.”
Li, a resident of Great Neck, was a well-known attorney and a prominent pro-Chinese-democracy activist. He was a leader in the student democracy movement at Tiananmen Square in 1989 and was jailed for 22 months for his involvement.
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