Tragedy strikes from above: Man sentenced to death for fatal brick attack

In a tragic incident that shocked the community, a man surnamed Zhou was sentenced to death on Wednesday for randomly throwing bricks from a building in Changchun, resulting in the death of a young woman. Zhou, who confessed to the crime, cited a lack of courage for a suicide attempt as the motive.

The horrifying event unfolded on June 22 when Zhou, perched atop a building overlooking a busy snack street in Changchun, hurled bricks indiscriminately, tragically claiming the life of a woman below. Surrendering himself to the police immediately after, Zhou revealed his initial intention to end his own life by jumping off the building but ultimately lacked the courage. Instead, he opted for a heinous act with the intention of receiving a death sentence.

Prosecutors revealed that Zhou's violent spree included another incident on June 17, where he threw buckets of water and unopened cans of coke in Changchun, causing injuries to bystanders.

During the trial on Nov 27 at the Changchun Intermediate People's Court, prosecutors argued that Zhou harbored resentment and misanthropy due to personal struggles, leading him to meticulously plan and execute the act of hurling objects from a high-rise building.

Zhou, born in 2000 in Jiangxi province, had a junior high school education and began working at an early age. His troubled history included a brief stint at a mental hospital in Shanghai in May, following a police report when he was found sleeping on a rooftop. Despite claims of mental illness by his family, a professional evaluation commissioned by the police deemed Zhou mentally sound and fully responsible for his criminal actions.

The victim's sister surnamed Lou, expressed disappointment that Zhou remained calm and showed no remorse or apology to her family upon receiving the death sentence. She vowed to pursue accountability from relevant parties, including the building's property management.

Lou visited the building after the incident and discovered a concerning setup, with numerous bricks and flower pots stacked in the corridor and the rooftop door left open.