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A recent case in Foshan, Guangdong, where a woman was found not guilty of justifiable defense after chasing robbers and causing one death and two injuries, has sparked widespread public discussion about the boundaries of citizens' right to self-defense. The final court ruling, which established the legal principle that an "illegal act is considered ongoing as long as the perpetrator has not left the victim's sight," has become the focal point of the debate.

In July 2023, a robbery occurred in Shunde District, Foshan. Ms. Rong, a 37-year-old businesswoman, was ambushed as she drove out of her garage. The robbers smashed her car window with iron tools, grabbed her by the hair, and snatched a handbag from the passenger seat containing over 80,000 yuan in cash and payment receipts. They then fled the scene on a motorcycle.

In an attempt to retrieve her stolen property, Ms. Rong immediately gave chase. During the pursuit, her car collided with the robbers' motorcycle, resulting in the death of one robber and injuries to two others. Afterward, Ms. Rong stated that she only intended to knock over the motorcycle to get her handbag back and did not mean to cause harm. She also actively cooperated with the police investigation and expressed her regret over the outcome.

The Shunde court, in its first-instance trial, ruled that Ms. Rong's actions constituted justifiable defense and that she would not face criminal liability. The two injured robbers were found guilty of robbery and sentenced to 12 and 11 years in prison, respectively. The two robbers appealed the decision, but the Foshan Intermediate Court upheld the original verdict in its final ruling. The court reasoned that since the robbers had not left the victim's sight after the robbery, the illegal act was still considered "in progress," and Ms. Rong's defensive actions were in line with the provisions of the Criminal Law.

The case has drawn significant public attention, with the majority of netizens believing the verdict was just and praising Ms. Rong as a "heroine." The legal community has also engaged in discussions, with some experts suggesting it might have constituted excessive defense. However, the court's final judgment clarified the legality of defensive actions in property crimes when the perpetrator has not left the victim's sight.

This ruling highlights the judicial principle that "the law shall not yield to illegality," providing clear guidance for the judicial application of justifiable defense and strongly safeguarding citizens' lawful right to defend themselves against illegal acts.