Mentally ill criminals should pay, too

Web users argue that a man found to have a mental illness should not escape punishment, after appearing to have randomly knifed passersby in Shenzhen, killing three people and injuring another five.

The incident began Monday morning in the city's Luohu district, where he pulled out a knife and started charging at people on the side of the road.

Police continue to investigate the case, but Net users said that the criminal responsible for such a heinous act must be penalized despite his mental condition.

"Just because a killer has a mental illness doesn't mean they should get off easy for their crimes," a Net user said.

"This man is really evil; he killed innocent people," Sina Weibo user Wutongdetudi said.

Still, some had sympathy for the mentally unstable, saying that they should receive lighter penalties for their crimes as they cannot control their actions.

"Instead, the caretakers of mental illness patients should be held responsible," said Net user Wallflower_Wierd.

Others, meanwhile, worried about their safety.

"Should we wear body armor when we go outside?" wrote Net user Luguhudexianyu.