Official shoots leaders of SW China city out of revenge: investigation

An official who shot the Party chief and mayor of Panzhihua city in southwest China's Sichuan Province earlier this month committed the shootings out of revenge, provincial police said Sunday.

The shooting occurred on Jan. 4 when the suspect, Chen Zhongshu, who was the city's land and resources chief, shot at chief leaders of the city during during a meeting.

Both victims, Party Chief Zhang Yan and Mayor Li Jianqin, sustained injuries but were discharged from hospital and resumed work, according to the statement.

"Investigators gained sufficient evidence to conclude that Chen became hateful of an investigation against him and panicked. He committed the shooting for revenge," the statement said.

In October 2016, a district procuratorate in Panzhihua found that Chen was implicated in a bribery case. He was suspected of receiving expensive gifts, the statement said.

Further investigation by city prosecutors show Chen was suspected of other severe violations of law and Party discipline.

His dossier had been handed to the city's discipline inspection commission before the shooting took place.

On Jan. 4, Chen stormed into a meeting at a local conference and exhibition center, fired several shots at the chief leaders, before killing himself while in the center.