Man Sentenced to Death for Deadly Rampage in Zhuhai

A Tragedy Fueled by Personal Anguish

A Chinese court has sentenced a man to death for driving his car into a crowd of people exercising at a sports center in Zhuhai, southern China, killing 35 and injuring 43 others. The attack, carried out by 62-year-old Fan Weiqiu, was reportedly motivated by anger over his divorce settlement.

Fan pleaded guilty to endangering public safety by dangerous means. The court described his actions as "extremely vile," citing the cruelty of the crime and the severe consequences it caused. "Fan's criminal motive was extremely despicable, and the social harm was particularly severe," the court said in a statement.

This incident was part of a spate of attacks across China in late October and November, leading Chinese leader Xi Jinping to call for increased measures to prevent "extreme cases." Local governments have since pledged to address personal disputes that could escalate into violence, including marital and financial disagreements.

Fan's sentencing comes just days after another court issued a suspended death sentence to a driver in Hunan province who injured 30 people by driving into elementary school students and parents. In that case, the court ruled the attack was an act of frustration after the driver lost his investments.

These attacks are categorized as "revenge on society" crimes, where individuals vent personal grievances through violence. Although such incidents are not new in China, the high casualty count in Zhuhai and the string of similar attacks have reignited public concern.

Authorities have maintained strict control over information regarding the attacks, censoring videos and eyewitness accounts on social media while releasing only limited details. The death toll from the Zhuhai incident was not confirmed until 24 hours after it occurred.

Fan was apprehended at the scene and found inside his vehicle attempting to stab himself with a knife, according to a police statement. The day after the attack, police set up barricades around the sports complex, restricting access. Mourners left flowers in a nearby square to honor the victims.