WORLD NEWS
A tragic knife attack at a suburban supermarket in Shanghai on Monday resulted in the deaths of three people and left 15 others injured. This incident occurred just one day before the beginning of China’s National Day “Golden Week,” a period known for heightened travel and festivities.
The assailant, identified only by his surname Lin, is a 37-year-old man who reportedly traveled to Shanghai to express his frustration over personal financial issues. Local police in the Songjiang district confirmed his detention following the attack, which has raised alarm amid a series of violent incidents occurring across major Chinese cities this year.
Public stabbing incidents in China have been on the rise, with authorities frequently attributing such acts to mental health issues. Schools, in particular, have seen a troubling pattern of violence, with children often being the targets. In September, a 10-year-old Japanese student was fatally stabbed near his school in Shenzhen, an event that has heightened security concerns within the Japanese community in China. Additionally, a June incident in Suzhou involved a knife attack on two Japanese nationals, further escalating these fears.
While stabbing incidents are rare in Shanghai, they are not unheard of. In 2022, a man went on a stabbing spree in a major hospital in the city, injuring 15 individuals. Authorities stated that the attacker was “resentful of society” after a failed investment and was sentenced to death a year later.
As China prepares for its National Day celebrations, the knife attack has sparked discussions about public safety and the underlying factors contributing to such acts of violence.