Commenter Lynne rightly points out that even we perhaps jumped to conclusions in the case of Philadelphia law student, Gerald Ung. In January, we linked to Above the Law coverage of Ung, who had been arrested after shooting a man six times in the wee hours of the night. The story had described the incident as “(If true), not the first time an Asian-American law student in Philadelphia has gone on a shooting spree.”

This description perhaps buys into the stereotype of the crazed Asian student who suddenly explodes. Certainly, Virginia Tech is called to mind. Unfortunately, in Pennsylvania, the Ung case coincided with the sentencing of another Asian law student, Joseph Cho. In 2007, a schizophrenic and bi-polar Cho had shot at his neighbour’s front door because he had thought they were terrorists.

Above the Law has since redacted its article in the face of the possibility that the Asian-American shooter in this case has a potentially viable justification and legal defence. As details of the incident emerged, Gerald Ung has appeared less and less likely to fit the mold of the “typical”, mentally unhinged Asian.

First, security video that captures the shooting paints a picture far removed from the image of a crazed law student who snapped. The video shows Ung and a female friend being pursued by the shooting victim and a group of others. Ung is seen drawing the gun after the female friend is shoved – all the while, still retreating. When the victim rushes Ung, the gun discharges and continues to do so as both tumble to the ground.

After the shooting, reporters say the video depicts Ung remaining with the victim and calling 911 from his cell. As such, the video at least arguably portrays a justifiable act of self-defence rather than criminally condemned conduct.

Next, details of Ung and the victim themselves came to light.

On one side, a spokesperson for the victim’s family has said that the victim is considered a hero who stepped in front of the gun to save the lives of his two friends. He was a varsity lacrosse player who considered himself invincible. He has since been cleared of life-threatening injuries.

On the other hand, friends of Ung have also spoken out, insisting that the portrayal of Ung as a disturbed individual is simply inaccurate.

“Gerald is not a gun-happy, overstressed law student waiting to go postal,”
one friend, Ernest Apaga, said in an e-mail.
“He is extraordinarily gregarious and dynamic, and there is no doubt in my mind that his friends and professors at Temple are scurrying to figure out how to get him the proper legal counseling and funding he’ll need.”

“Many of us met Gerald in Northern Virginia as children. Many of us met him in college in Rochester, New York. Some of us became acquainted with Gerald at law school at Temple University in Philadelphia. Everyone who meets Gerald is instantly drawn to his charismatic, intelligent, self-sacrificing, warm, and loving personality.”

The Facebook group supporting Ung has 520 members. Ung’s fellow law students at Temple have also established a defence fund.

Nevertheless, Ung has been charged with criminal attempted murder, aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a licence, possession of a weapon with intent, assault, and reckless endangerment. As the case proceeds towards trial, no doubt we’ll be hearing much more about both Ung and the victim. The preliminary hearing is schedule for April 16th. However, what is already clear is that this story is much more complicated than just another crazed Asian gunman.