Olympics organisers have vowed to tighten security after the fatal stabbing of the American father-of-law of a New Zealander in Beijing.
Christchurch-born and raised coach of the United States volleyball team, Hugh McCutcheon, was yesterday mourning the loss of his father-in-law Todd Bachman murdered in the apparent random attack in the central city.
Mr Bachman was set upon by a knife-wielding man at popular tourist spot the Drum Tower, 5km from the main Olympic site.
His wife, Barbara, was also attacked, and was reportedly in a critical but stable condition after suffering multiple lacerations and stab wounds.
Hugh McCutcheon's wife, Elisabeth Bachman McCutcheon, was with her parents at the time but she was not injured.
Their assailant leapt to his death from the 45m high tower.
Tang Yongming, 47, -- a homeless, jobless, twice-divorced man -- had no previous criminal record and "acted out of despair over personal failures", the official Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying.
"We are going to strengthen the security at scenic spots...to make sure no sharp weapons can be brought into the area," Beijing Olympic spokesman Wang Wei told a news conference.
"Beijing is a safe city but unfortunately we are not immune to violent acts," he said, adding there was no reason to believe the attack was targeted at Americans.
Yongming, a former factory worker from the affluent eastern city of Hangzhou, left his rented house on August 1.
He called his 21-year-old son, who was recently sentenced to six months' jail for theft with a one-year suspension, and told him he was leaving but would return once he had made a success of himself.
California-based McCutcheon, 38, was told the news as he was preparing his gold medal favourite team for their first game against Venezuela tonight.
He withdrew from his duties for the match, with his team going on to win, 3-2.
McCutcheon represented New Zealand before moving to the US in 1990 to play college volleyball, taking over as US head coach in 2005.
His wife was a member of the US women's volleyball team at the Athens Olympics four years ago.
In Christchurch last night, McCutcheon's mother, Milly, said the attack had left the whole family in shock.
"It's just an utter tragedy. It's as simple as that. There's nothing to hang it on it's just a crazy man," she told The Press.
She said Mrs Bachman was "desperately ill" in intensive care and Hugh and his wife were at the hospital by her side,
"We're all just hoping and praying she will survive," she said.
Mrs McCutcheon said the attack defied belief.
"How do you live with that? How do you live with any of it? The mind just doesn't want to comprehend any of it, really. It's just so random and...incredible."
She said Todd (Bachman) was "one of the finest people I've ever met"
The US International Olympic Committee (USOC) said a "deranged man" was responsible for the attack, an assessment that had been accepted by the New Zealand team.
"All the advice we've had is that it was a one-off random incident," New Zealand Olympic team chef de mission Dave Currie said.
"There's been no raising of expectations or concerns around our activity around the city.
"In any large city of 15 million people there will be incidents that you never hear about.
"We shouldn't presume this is the start of things going downhill."
Currie said it was understandable if those closest to the New Zealand athletes and officials were nervous.
"If you were a parent at home, clearly you would have some concerns," he said.
"We're getting information for all the team this morning to reassure them in our view it is an isolated incident, it is not an orchestrated campaign."
The US volleyball team issued a statement, saying that there was "nothing more important to us than supporting Mrs Bachman in her struggle and supporting Hugh and Elisabeth in their grief."
"We are absolutely devastated by what has occurred, for their loss and for everything they are going through. We have been in touch with Hugh throughout this tragedy and we are extremely proud of the strength he and Elisabeth are displaying.
