"Risked His Life for Views"... Influencer Jumps Off High-Rise Apartment

Chinese Influencer in Their 20s Detained by Police

After Parachuting Off High-Rise Apartment Rooftop


Self-Proclaimed Parachute Instructor Had No Certification

Major Social Media Accounts Permanently Suspended

"He Endangered

A Chinese influencer in their 20s was detained by public security after jumping off a high-rise apartment rooftop at night while parachuting to boost online views. It has also been reported that the social networking service (SNS) account, which had about 60,000 followers, was permanently suspended from major platforms.

On July 13, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that the Qinghua District Branch of the Chengdu Public Security Bureau in Sichuan Province had recently imposed administrative detention on a 23-year-old individual surnamed Ren, on charges of disturbing public order and endangering public safety.

A Chinese influencer in their 20s was detained by public security after jumping off a high-rise apartment rooftop at night while parachuting to boost online views. SCMP

Previously, on June 30 at around 11 p.m., Ren climbed onto the rooftop of a high-rise apartment in a residential complex in Chengdu, strapped on a parachute, and jumped off. He filmed and edited the jump, uploading it to his SNS the next day. The video showed Ren flying precariously between the exterior walls, balconies, and trees of the apartment building with his parachute open. There were concerns that, given the proximity of other apartments and roads to the landing area, residents or pedestrians could have easily been caught up in an accident.

Police concluded that Ren had engaged in unauthorized aerial sports activities in order to draw attention on the internet, and in doing so, severely disrupted order in public spaces and endangered the safety of residents. In accordance with China’s Public Security Administration Punishments Law, Ren was placed under administrative detention, and related administrative agencies were notified of the unauthorized aerial sports activity. However, the actual duration of detention was not made public. According to SCMP, such administrative detention in China may last up to 15 days depending on the case.

The police also notified each internet platform of Ren's SNS account usage, requesting that appropriate actions be taken according to platform regulations. SCMP further reported that Ren’s main accounts on these platforms have been permanently suspended. Ren, who had approximately 60,000 followers, was active on SNS under the name "Parachute Coach Kakashi." He described himself as a parachute instructor, but police confirmed that he did not hold any relevant professional qualification.

This was not the first time. Ren’s SNS account also featured a video, posted in May 2024, of himself attempting a parachute jump from the roof of another residential building downtown. After the incident became known, those videos became inaccessible. Police warned, "Parachuting activities must be conducted in legally designated airspace and locations, and in accordance with relevant laws and industry standards," adding, "Jumping from urban buildings, bridges, plazas, or other public places without permission is strictly prohibited." The police further stated that any actions threatening public safety in residential or densely populated areas will be dealt with swiftly and sternly, and criminal charges may be pursued if the conduct amounts to a crime.

Chinese internet users also strongly criticized Ren’s actions. One user pointed out, "He could have crashed into someone on the road. He endangered not only his own life but also the lives of others." Another user commented, "He did not consider the consequences at all, just to get online views." Some even observed, "Stricter penalties are necessary to prevent others from imitating these actions."

Meanwhile, in China, content in which creators film themselves engaging in dangerous behavior—such as speeding or climbing high-rise buildings to attract online attention—has been a continuous source of controversy. In June, in Zhejiang Province, a driver was caught by police after uploading SNS footage of driving at 152 kilometers per hour on a highway while filming with a cellphone. In 2017, Wu Yongning, a Chinese internet broadcaster who became famous for posting videos climbing skyscrapers without safety equipment, fell to his death while scaling a 260-meter building in Changsha, Hunan Province. Reports at the time said he produced these high-risk climbing videos to raise money for his wedding and his ailing mother’s medical expenses.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.