THE gunman who shot dead a coronavirus researcher in a "lengthy dispute regarding an intimate partner" has been pictured for the first time.

Hao Gu, 46, was an award-winning software engineer who worked for Eaton at their Electrical facility in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, a spokesperson told The Sun.

Gu had been working for the company as a software architect for 16 years.

He studied Computer Science at Tongi University in Shanghai, China, before going on to complete a Masters degree in Software Engineering at East Tennessee State University.

Cops believe Hao Gu died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and he was discovered in a nearby car in Ross Township, according to People.

Dr Bing Liu, 37, was found dead in his Pennsylvania home from multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head, according to cops.

Detective Sgt Brian Kohlhepp said: "Our investigation of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Bing Lu and Hao Gu indicates that the actions that took place on Saturday May 2, 2020, was the result of a lengthy dispute regarding an intimate partner.

"We have found zero evidence that this tragic event has anything to do with employment at the University of Pittsburgh, any work being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and the current health crisis affecting the United States and the world.

"Due to the fact that the individuals involved are not United States citizens and in accordance with long-standing protocol, our review has been forwarded to federal authorities."

Police said: "Investigative leads developed throughout the weekend have led us to believe that the male from the car shot and killed the man in the townhome before returning to his own car and taking his own life."

Gu is believed to have entered Dr Liu's house through an unlocked door before opening fire, hitting him in the head, neck and body.

The victim's wife was not home at the time of the suspected murder, according to the Post-Gazette.

Dr Liu was a research assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine with an expertise in "computational modeling and analysis of biological systems dynamics."

The school said he was an "outstanding" and "prolific" researcher who stood out during the COVID-19 crisis.

“He was just starting to obtain interesting results," Ivet Bahar, the head of the computational and system biology department, told the Post-Gazette.

"He was sharing with us, trying to understand the mechanism of infection, so we will hopefully continue what he was doing.”

The university said in a statement: "Bing was on the verge of making very significant findings toward understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie SARS-CoV-2 infection and the cellular basis of the following complications."

"We will make an effort to complete what he started in an effort to pay homage to his scientific excellence."

The school noted that he co-authored at least 30 publications, including four in 2020, and a book.

"He was patient, intelligent, and extremely mature," the university wrote.

"We will miss him very much."

He "was an excellent mentor," the school said, and "generously" shared his time and knowledge with younger scientists.

Officials said "his loss will be felt throughout the entire scientific community."

"Please keep his family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts."

Originally from China, Dr Liu received his Bachelor of Science and PhD in Computer Science at the National University of Singapore.

He did his postdoctoral studies at Carnegie Mellon University in the US.

He had recently been promoted to a Research Assistant Professor position at the University of Pittsburgh.

Cops did not say how Dr Liu and Gu knew each other, and have not speculated on possible motives.

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