School Horror: Teen Tried to Murder Classmates in Devastating Hammer Attack
Malaysian Teen Slays Sleepers in £45,000-a-Year Boarding School
Thomas Wei Huang, 17, a Malaysian student at Devon’s elite Blundell’s School, has been publicly named for the first time after his shocking hammer assault on two classmates and a teacher. The 12-year minimum life sentence puts a spotlight on a chilling crime in a £45,000-per-year boarding school.
In the early hours of June 9 last year, Huang, dressed only in boxer shorts, armed himself with three claw hammers. He brutally attacked two sleeping students in their dormitory before turning on housemaster Henry Roffe-Silvester, who rushed in to investigate the terror. Both pupils suffered severe injuries including skull fractures and brain damage, while Mr Roffe-Silvester took six hammer blows but survived.
“Zombie Apocalypse” Preparation Turned Deadly
Huang said he was prepping for a “zombie apocalypse” and had stockpiled the hammers for that purpose. However, the jury at Exeter Crown Court saw through his sleepwalking defence, finding him guilty on three counts of attempted murder.
- Obsessed with serial killers and violence
- Research into high-profile murders
- Fixated on one victim after a classroom clash and personal tensions
Just before the attack, Huang pumped himself up by blasting Robin Hustin’s “Light It Up,” prosecutors said he was in a “killing rage.” Medical experts disagreed about his sleepwalking claim – some called it classic sleepwalking violence, others doubted it was possible to be that aggressive while asleep.
Judge Slams Killer’s Lack of Remorse
Mrs Justice Cutts handed down the life sentence, highlighting Huang’s sharp mind and ability to grasp consequences. “You knew full well if you hit the boys multiple times with the hammers they would die,” the judge warned.
Now diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, Huang claimed regret in court: “I feel very terribly sorry for all three individuals because of what I did to them.” His lawyers blamed exam stress, personal issues, and a dark interest in violent films. They also revealed he fell victim to “sextortion” blackmail over personal photos.
School and Families Rally After Savage Attack
Blundell’s headmaster Bart Wielenga praised the school’s resilience and assured parents and students of ongoing support. “This is not an incident we whisper about or have to be ashamed of,” he said. “It is part of our narrative, our shared story.”
Victims’ families thanked supporters and hoped for continued healing. Detective Inspector Dave Egan called the attack “brutal and savage” with clear intent to kill.
This grim episode will forever mark Blundell’s history while showcasing the community’s strength.
