A court in China has sentenced a man to death for a horrific attack that resulted in the deaths of 35 people last month. The incident, which occurred at a sports center in the southern city of Zhuhai, has sparked national concern about mass killings.
The court revealed that the perpetrator, identified as Fan Weiqiu, carried out the attack as a result of his dissatisfaction with his divorce settlement. The court described Fan's actions as extremely despicable, vile, and particularly cruel, leading to severe consequences and great social harm.
This tragic event is part of a series of attacks that took place in China in late October and November, prompting Chinese leader Xi Jinping to issue directives to local governments to prevent similar incidents in the future. Local authorities have pledged to address personal disputes that could potentially escalate into violence, including issues related to marriage and inheritance.
Fan, who is 62 years old according to police reports, is the second individual to receive a severe sentence following the recent spate of attacks. Another driver who injured 30 people in a separate incident involving elementary students and parents in Hunan province was given a suspended death sentence with a two-year reprieve earlier this week. Such sentences are typically commuted to life imprisonment.
