A 62-year-old man responsible for killing 35 people by driving his car into a crowded sports center in Zhuhai, China, has been sentenced to death, according to state media reports.

The sentencing of Fan Weiqiu by the Zhuhai Intermediate People’s Court on Friday marks the conclusion of one of the deadliest public violence incidents in China in the past decade.

Fan admitted guilt during the trial, with the court condemning his actions as "despicable and particularly cruel."

Tragic Incident Shocks the Nation

On November 11, Fan drove his vehicle into a crowd of individuals exercising at the Zhuhai Sports Center. The rampage, which occurred just before 8 p.m., left 35 dead and dozens injured.

Investigators revealed that Fan’s actions were fueled by anger over his failed marriage and dissatisfaction with his divorce settlement.

Witnesses described the horrifying scene as Fan’s off-road vehicle plowed through the sports ground, targeting unsuspecting people. When apprehended, Fan was found inside his car attempting to self-harm with a knife. Police quickly intervened and transported him to the hospital.

A Rise in Public Violence

This incident is part of a concerning trend of violent attacks in China, where random acts of aggression against civilians have unsettled the public. The rise in such events comes as the nation grapples with slower economic growth and increased social tensions.

The court emphasized the brutality of Fan’s actions, stating, “The nature and method of this crime were particularly egregious.” The Zhuhai attack has drawn comparisons to previous high-casualty incidents, including the 2014 attacks in Xinjiang.

Government Response

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for strict penalties in response to the surge in violence. He labeled the attack as "extremely vicious" and advocated for severe measures to deter similar incidents.

Fan’s death sentence follows a suspended death penalty handed to another man earlier this month, who rammed his car into a crowd outside a primary school in Hunan province, injuring 30 people, including 18 children.