Drum Tower
August 9, 2008: A Chinese man named Tang Yongming stabbed two American tourists and their tour guide on the second floor of Beijing's historical Drum Tower. Yongming's victims, Todd Bachman and Barbara Bachman, were relatives of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Volleyball coach. Todd Bachman passed away from his injuries, while Barbara Bachman and their female tour guide were both seriously injured. Yongming committed suicide by jumping from the second story of the tower after the attack.
Fast Facts
- Date of attack: August 9, 2008
- Incident occurred on the first full day of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing
- Time: Approximately 12:30 p.m.
- Location: Second level of Beijing's Drum Tower
- Attacker: Tang Yongming
- Stabbed Todd Bachman, Barbara Bachman and their Chinese tour guide
Drum Tower Facts
- Built: 1272 during the reign of Emperor Kublai Khan in the Yuan Dynasty
- Height: 46.7 meters high
- Located on the north end of Dianmenwai street
- Is a wooden structure
- Once burnt down; rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty
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