Suspect arrested for 19 deaths in China ‘killing spree’

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING

A man has been arrested after 19 deaths were reported in a southwestern Chinese village in what state media called a “killing spree” Thursday.

Xinhua news agency reported that a suspect identified as Yang Qingpei -- born in 1989 -- was arrested in Yunnan province’s capital Kunming, located around 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Yema village where the victims were killed.

The report did not provide details about what caused the deaths.

It cited the Ministry of Public Security as saying that a working group had been deployed to the village to “oversee handling” of the case.

Investigations are ongoing.