Following a six-day manhunt, Shi Yuejun, a butcher from Tonghua in Jilin Province wanted in connection with the deaths of 13 people, was caught in a cornfield on the outskirts of the county's Liunan Town.

Around of 14,000 people, including 2,000 police, were involved in the hunt for Shi, who's alleged to have killed eight people and seriously injured three last Sunday in Tonghua and Liuhe counties. It's further alleged he killed five people and injured one other while attempting to evade capture.

Police offered no motive for Shi's alleged killing spree but local people said he had a history of psychological problems. Shi's wife said her husband had accumulated a number of resentments during his job which finally came to a head. Further investigations are underway.

The Ministry of Public Security issued a Class-A warrant for Shi on Thursday and offered a reward of 100,000 yuan (US$12,500) for his arrest.

(China Daily September 30, 2006)