'Random Killing' Suspect in His 20s Detained in Gwangju... Police Considering Disclosure of Identity

"Risk of Flight, Seriousness of the Case" Cited as Reasons for Arrest Warrant Issuance
Attempted Destruction of Evidence by Using Unmanned Laundromat After the Crime

Jang, a 24-year-old man who murdered a high school girl he had never met and inflicted serious injuries on a male high school student in downtown Gwangju, has ultimately been detained. Jang claims the crime was impulsive, but evidence such as the pre-purchase of weapons and attempts to destroy evidence by laundering clothes after the incident have emerged. As a result, the police are considering the possibility that the crime was premeditated and are reviewing whether to disclose Jang’s personal information to the public.

On May 7, Judge Jeong Gyo-hyeong, who is in charge of warrants at the Gwangju District Court, issued an arrest warrant for Jang on charges of murder and attempted murder. The court stated, "There is a risk of flight and the case is serious," as the reason for the issuance.

On the morning of the 7th, suspect Jang Mo, accused of a 'random murder,' arrived at the Gwangju District Court in Dong-gu, Gwangju to undergo a pre-trial detention hearing. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Jang is accused of stabbing and killing a 17-year-old second-year female high school student, identified as A, with a weapon multiple times on the sidewalk of a main road in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, at approximately 12:11 a.m. on May 5. He is also accused of using a weapon to seriously injure another 17-year-old male student, identified as B, who rushed to the scene after hearing the victim’s screams.

The investigation revealed that Jang had purchased two weapons in advance and wandered the streets carrying them for two days before the crime. He also displayed a high level of premeditation by turning off his mobile phone at the time of the crime. In particular, after the crime, he attempted to destroy evidence by switching taxis while fleeing and laundering his bloodstained clothes at an unmanned laundromat.

During police questioning, Jang claimed, "Life was no longer enjoyable, and I was about to commit suicide when, by chance, I saw A and committed the crime impulsively," insisting that it was an unplanned act. However, the police are focusing on the possibility of premeditated murder, based on Jang’s statement that "I intended to take someone with me when I die," as well as the fact that he had prepared weapons in advance.

At the pre-trial detention review held on this day, Jang told reporters, "I am truly sorry for committing an unforgivable crime," but partially denied the charges, stating, "I did not commit the crime knowing that the victim was a female student, and it was not premeditated."

Now that Jang is in custody, the police plan to hold a committee to review whether to disclose his face, name, and other personal information to the public. In addition, they will conduct a psychopathy assessment (PCL-R) and a risk assessment for recidivism in parallel, in order to accurately determine the motive for the crime.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.