In a country where private firearms ownership is illegal, gun violence is rare. That's why the shootout in Tai'an city, in eastern China's Shandong Province is so shocking. A pair of murder suspects have killed four police officers after going on a car jacking spree.

 

Blood stains. Shattered glass all around. The scene of violence is rare in China.

The two suspects, also wanted in a homicide case a month ago in nearby Dezhou city, had been hiding at the apartment of a relative in Tai'an.

Armed with a handmade pistol and a double-barreled shotgun, the gunmen fired at the police who knocked on the door to investigate the homicide.

After wounding four officers, the gunmen hijacked a passing car.

Li Taiwen, Police officer of Tai'an City, Shandong Province,said, "We soon set up road blocks around the city. But the suspects just ran them through. Five police cars got wrecked."

The gunmen hijacked four other cars, shooting at two of the drivers.

They were finally cornered downtown. A squad car forced them off the street, causing them to crash into a tree.

One suspect shot and killed himself and the other was taken into custody.

Four police officers were gunned down, and three other police and two civilians were wounded. They're undergoing medical treatment in local hospitals.

Dr. Shi Baohai, Tai'an City, Shandong Province,said, "Most of them suffer from chest injuries. The suspect is also in the hospital, He's recovering, too."

Investigation into the Dezhou homicide is still underway. Police are now tracing the source of the firearms and its link with the case.