Violent protests have broken out in China after the death of a teenage boy sparked widespread accusations of an official cover-up. Verified videos from Shaanxi Province show intense clashes outside the Pucheng Vocational Technical School, where the boy was a student.

Footage reveals dozens of protesters confronting riot police, with some throwing batons and objects. One protester shattered a glass door by hurling a fire extinguisher, prompting police to respond aggressively, beating demonstrators and forcibly subduing them.

The protests were triggered by the death of Dang, a third-year student at the school, who died on January 2. Local authorities claimed Dang’s death was accidental and not the result of criminal activity, but allegations of a cover-up have gained traction on social media.

In a statement circulated by state media, officials said Dang had a verbal and physical altercation with a first-year student, Guo, in his dormitory over a disturbance. The conflict was reportedly resolved by a school official. Hours later, at around 3 a.m., another student discovered a wooden stool under the dormitory balcony window, which was open with its metal mesh screen removed. Dang’s body was found on the ground below.

The activist group Human Rights in China, based in the U.S., reported “suspicious circumstances” surrounding Dang’s death. Witnesses claimed there were signs of a struggle in the dormitory and suggested he may have been pushed from the roof. Dang’s family has publicly rejected the official account, citing missing photos from his phone as evidence. Their concerns have resonated widely on social media.

The protests, which began Monday, underscore growing public distrust of Chinese authorities, particularly after the 2022 “White Paper” demonstrations against strict COVID-19 policies. It remains unclear whether the protests in Shaanxi continued throughout the week.