BEIJING - Reportedly fuming over the outcome of his divorce settlement, a 62-year old Chinese man plowed his vehicle into crowds of evening physical fitness buffs killing 35 people and injuring 43 others in what was described by authorities as the deadliest known assault on innocent people in ten years.

The suspect, identified only by his surname Fan, was arrested during his escape attempt and is being processed for criminal charges.

He was collared while trying to inflict wounds to his neck. using a knife.

“The assailant suffered serious self-inflicted neck injuries. He was unconscious when brought to the hospital,” police reported.

The incident happened in the southern city of Zhuhai.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was appalled by the killings and described the attack as “extremely vicious. He demanded severe punishment for the suspect.

People expected Fan to be meted out the death penalty for the crimes he committed.

Fan reportedly drove a small off-road vehicle that sped into the grounds of the sports complex then targeted the huge crowds of people exercising around a track at about 7:48 pm on Monday (November 11).

Panic-stricken people fled to different directions but some of them were even chased by Fan.

Zhuhai residents sympathized with the victims and their families by laying wreaths and candles at the scene of the incident but these were quickly removed by authorities