Knife Attack At Guangzhou Shopping Center, One Dead, Three Injured, Suspect Detained

Guangzhou, China— A man armed with a kitchen knife attacked shoppers near the ground-floor atrium of a suburban shopping center in Panyu District at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, killing one person and injuring three before security guards tackled him.

The shopping center, Wanda Plaza Panyu, was crowded with afternoon shoppers. The attacker, a 38-year-old man from Hunan province, reportedly argued with a store clerk over a refund, left, returned with a knife from his bag, and began slashing at random near an escalator.

One victim, a 56-year-old woman, was stabbed in the neck and died at the scene. Three others, two women and a teenage boy, suffered stab wounds to arms and torso and were taken to Panyu Central Hospital in stable condition.

"He shouted, then swung. People ran toward exits. Children screamed. Guards hit him with chairs," said Chen Lili, 29, who was buying shoes 10 meters away and filmed the aftermath. Her video shows shoppers scattering as security pins the man.

Police arrived within four minutes and took the suspect into custody. A bloodied 20-centimeter knife was recovered. The suspect had no prior criminal record in Guangzhou but had a history of psychiatric treatment, according to preliminary police checks.

"The attacker appears to have acted alone. Motive seems linked to a consumer dispute, but mental health will be evaluated," a Guangzhou Public Security Bureau officer said at a press briefing. He asked not to be named because the case is under investigation.

Shopping mall stabbings have occurred sporadically in China in recent years, often tied to personal grievances and mental health issues. Malls have increased security with metal detectors at some entrances, but not all.

The mall closed for the afternoon while forensic teams worked. Management said it would provide counseling for staff and review knife sales in its supermarket.

The injured victims’ families were notified. The prosecutor’s office will decide on charges after medical evaluation of the suspect’s mental state.

The mall reopened at 7 p.m. with increased security presence.