By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
A Chinese court has sentenced a man to death for a deadly attack last month in which he drove into a crowd, killing 35 people.
Why It Matters
The incident has sparked widespread concern across the country about the growing threat of mass killings.The crash happened last month on the eve of China’s largest air show in the city of Zhuhai in the Guangdong province. The city had seen increased security due to the air show, including several entrances and exits to the sports center hosting the event being closed.
What To Know
Police in Zhuhai said a 62-year-old Fan Weiqiu drove a crossover SUV into members of the public who were exercising inside the sports center at 7:48 p.m. local time before attempting to flee the scene.Fan carried out the attack in a fit of rage over his divorce settlement, according to a court in Zhuhai, which issued the death sentence on Friday.
Fan pleaded guilty to charges of endangering public safety through dangerous means, the court said in a statement.The attack was one of several violent incidents in China during late October and November, prompting President Xi Jinping to direct local governments to take preventive measures against future “extreme cases.” In response, local officials pledged to address personal disputes that could escalate into violence, including conflicts over marriage settlements and inheritance disagreements.
Fan’s sentencing came just weeks after the recent wave of attacks, marking an unusually swift resolution in a judicial system where cases often take much longer to conclude. Chinese authorities tightly control information about such attacks, censoring videos and eyewitness accounts on social media while releasing only minimal details, often hours after the events occur.
Authorities in Zhuhai waited 24 hours before disclosing the death toll from the attack, which left 35 people dead and 43 others injured, according to police.
Fan was reportedly found in his vehicle attempting to stab himself, a police statement said.The day after the attack, police cordoned off the sports complex, preventing public access. Mourners left bouquets of flowers in a nearby square as a tribute to the victims.
What People Are Saying
The Chinese court said that Fan’s “criminal motive was extremely despicable, the nature of the crime was extremely vile, the means of the crime were particularly cruel, and the consequences of the crime were particularly severe, resulting in great social harm.
“What’s Next?
it is currently unclear when the death sentence will be carried out against Fan
About The Author
Leave a comment