The alleged suicide of a student in Luzhou, Sichuan province has sparked widespread rumors and protests, with both the public and the media demanding a thorough investigation into the cause of the victim’s death.

The 14-year-old student, surnamed Zhao, was found dead on the campus of Taifu Middle School on April 1. The boy’s mother, along with many local residents, has denounced the claims of local police that the boy was not murdered, stressing that his real cause of death was campus violence.

According to various online posts and rumors, Zhao was killed by five of his classmates, which would perhaps explain the severe bruises found on his body. The indignant skepticism of many members of the public has led hundreds of people to protest, vocalizing their discontent with the way local authorities have handled the case.

Denying the rumors circulating online, local police released a statement via Sina Weibo stating that four people have been arrested for spreading fake information about the incident. Police also vowed to clamp down on rumors and activities that disrupt social order, adding that they are continuing to gather information related to Zhao’s death, and an autopsy will be carried out as soon as possible.

The tragedy has already gone viral online. The hashtag “IncidentAtTaifuMiddleSchool” has garnered over 260 million page views as of press time, with many netizens criticizing local authorities and demanding the truth.

“The explanation of the local police is self-contradictory. How can you rule out the possibility of murder without conducting an autopsy? ” one netizen wrote.

Media outlets have also followed the the incident closely. In a commentary published by the People’s Daily on April 5, authorities were urged to release more information to stop the circulation of rumors. The article also stated that the government should satisfy public demand for information instead of shutting down access to the truth.