Chinese school attacker suffers from mental illness: Officials

Results of the appraisal made by the Wuhan Psychiatric Hospital in Hubei Province confirmed Min Yongjun, the 36-year-old resident of Guangshan County had a mental disorder, Procuratorate officials told state-run Xinhua news agency.

On December 14, Min burst into the home of an elderly woman and stabbed her with a kitchen knife. He then went to Chenpeng Village Elementary School and stabbed 23 students as they arrived for class.

Min was arrested on a charge of jeopardising public security two days after the attack.

Penalties for suspects who suffer mental disease might be lightened under China's criminal law.