A 62-year-old man, Fan Weiqiu, who carried out a deliberate car attack that killed 35 people in Zhuhai, southern China, has been sentenced to death, state media reported on Friday.
The attack occurred on November 11, when Fan drove his small SUV into a group of people exercising outside a sports complex, making it the deadliest attack in China since 2014.
Authorities apprehended Fan at the scene, where he was found with self-inflicted knife injuries and later fell into a coma.
Fan’s trial was held publicly on Friday, with the court delivering its verdict the same day. According to state broadcaster CCTV, the court described his motives as “extremely vile” and labeled the crime as “particularly egregious.”
“The methods were cruel, and the consequences severe, causing significant harm to society,” the court said.
Fan pleaded guilty in front of some victims’ families, government officials, and members of the public.
The court revealed that his actions were fueled by anger stemming from a broken marriage, personal frustrations, and dissatisfaction with property division following his divorce.
China has faced a series of mass casualty incidents this year, including stabbings and car attacks, challenging its reputation for strong public security. Analysts have suggested these events may be linked to rising societal tensions, economic pressures, and a growing sense of social inequality in the country.
The death sentence reflects China’s stern approach to addressing such violent crimes amidst growing concerns over public safety.
