A Chinese court has sentenced Fan Weiqiu to death for driving into a crowd and killing 35 people in an act of mass violence that shocked the nation. The incident, which occurred last month at a sports center in the southern city of Zhuhai, has been described as a deliberate attack stemming from Fan’s frustration over his divorce settlement.
The Zhuhai court delivered the verdict on Friday, December 27, labeling Fan’s actions as “particularly cruel” and emphasizing the severe social harm caused. “The criminal motive was extremely despicable, the nature of the crime was vile, and the consequences were catastrophic,” the court stated in its judgment.
Fan pleaded guilty to charges of endangering public safety through dangerous means. According to the court, he deliberately drove into a group of individuals exercising at the sports center to vent his anger.
The case is part of a troubling wave of attacks in China during late October and November, prompting Chinese President Xi Jinping to call on local governments to implement measures to prevent similar “extreme cases.”
A Rapid Judicial Response
Fan’s death sentence was handed down unusually quickly for the Chinese legal system, reflecting the gravity of the crime. This is the second such case concluded in recent weeks. Earlier, a court in Hunan province sentenced a driver to a suspended death sentence, which typically converts to life imprisonment, after he drove into a group of elementary school students and parents, injuring 30 people. The driver had reportedly acted out of frustration after financial losses.
Broader Trend of “Revenge on Society” Crimes
China has seen a rise in attacks where individuals target crowds, using vehicles or knives, in acts often referred to as “revenge on society” crimes. These attackers frequently cite personal grievances, including financial woes, family disputes, or social dissatisfaction, as their motives.
Fan’s case underscores the growing concern over such acts of violence and the need for preventative measures to address underlying social and psychological issues. The Chinese government has pledged to enhance community conflict resolution mechanisms and mental health support to curb such tragic incidents.
