A Chinese court has sentenced Huang Wen to a suspended death penalty for driving his car into a crowd outside a primary school. The incident, which occurred on November 19 in Changde City, injured 30 people, including 18 children. Notably, this was the third such attack in China within one week.
Details of the Incident
Huang carried out the attack to express his anger over financial losses and family disputes. Videos from the scene showed injured children lying on the ground while pedestrians attempted to stop him. Additionally, the court described his actions as reflecting “extremely severe criminal circumstances.”
Madman used his car to ram into a crowd of mostly children near the Yong'an Primary School in Dingcheng District, Changde City, Hunan Province, China (湖南常德鼎城区永安小学) last week.
Initial reports indicated over 30 killed but China never follows up with additional… pic.twitter.com/U5SUoKmvl6
— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) November 23, 2024
Public Reaction and Criticism
However, the suspended death sentence, which could become life imprisonment if Huang avoids crimes for two years, sparked public criticism. On social media, users questioned the leniency of the punishment. For instance, one Weibo user asked, “Why does he deserve a suspension?” Others emphasized that harsher penalties are necessary to deter similar crimes.
Broader Context of Violence
Meanwhile, observers have linked such attacks to economic frustrations and societal grievances. Just days before Huang’s assault, another man in Zuhai drove into a crowd, killing 35 people. These repeated incidents highlight rising tensions within the country.
Government’s Response
Although authorities confirmed the number of injuries for the first time, they also censored online discussions about the case. This action has raised concerns about transparency and public safety measures in dealing with such violence.
As part of his sentence, Huang was stripped of political rights for life. Nevertheless, critics continue to demand stricter measures to address violence and deliver justice.
