Chinese student accused in gun case volunteers to leave US after giving up asylum bid

A lawyer for a former Virginia Tech student accused of illegally possessing an assault weapon said the Chinese national has decided to leave the United States.

Lawyer Jessica Sherman-Stoltz told The Roanoke Times 20-year-old Zhao Yunsong decided to withdraw his asylum request and leave this week.

She said the asylum hearing was set for Wednesday, and Zhao was set to leave Tuesday.

Zhao was accused of equipping an AR-15 with a 30-round magazine at a shooting range.

Virginia prohibits non-citizens from having guns with magazines with more than 20 rounds.

He was arrested early this year on a charge of illegal possession of an assault rifle by a non-US citizen or permanent resident and spent over seven months in custody.