Police investigate revenge attack motive in cop slayings

By Yang Lifei  |   2008-7-3  |     ONLINE EDITION

SHANGHAI police are still investigating the motive behind a stabbing spree at Zhabei District Public Security Bureau that led to the deaths of six officers on Tuesday.

Yang Jia, 28, unemployed and from Beijing, allegedly stabbed nine police officers and one security guard at the security bureau. Six officers had died by midnight that day and the others remain in stable condition at hospital, the Shanghai Public Security Bureau said yesterday.

The motive for the stabbing spree is still unclear though a previous announcement by the Shanghai police authority said it was a revenge attack. Yang had been questioned by officers at the Zhabei bureau in October for allegedly stealing a bicycle, the bureau said, according to the Beijing Times.

``It was the suspect's own confession and police are looking into his statement. We will give updates once investigators find out any new developments,'' Fang Jie, assistant spokeswoman of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, told the newspaper.

According to the Modern Express, which is owned by Xinhuanet.com, Yang visited Shanghai during the National Day holiday in October. He rented a bicycle near Shanghai Railway Station in Zhabei District, but was later detained by police and accused of purchasing a stolen bicycle. An investigation proved that Yang was innocent.

Yang filed a lawsuit against the bureau and asked for compensation. Yang demanded 30,000 yuan (US$4,286) while the bureau offered only half of that, the Modern Express reported.

The report did not give the result of the lawsuit.

The office building on Tianmu Road where the attack occurred has beefed up security and returned to normal operations, according to the report.

Armed riot police guard the front gate and more security guards with police batons are on duty. Residents must register and pass a security check before entering the building, the newspaper said.