Chinese police have arrested eight suspects in connection with a shooting spree where three people were killed and another two wounded in southwest China's Sichuan Province in January.

Police in Deyang City said a man surnamed Zhang opened fire on five men who were drinking tea at a teahouse near the Yazi Dike at about 2:50 p.m. on Jan. 10.

They believe Zhang and another man, surnamed Yuan, were asked to kill one of the tea drinkers, Chen Fuwei, by a man named Liu Wei.

Zhang and Yuan, along with six other people were arrested but have not yet been charged. Liu Wei is still at large.

Chen was sentenced to prison at different times for various crimes beginning in 1991. He was released in July 2008.

Police said Chen was operating a criminal gang that was engaged in blackmail and other crimes. He allegedly developed a grudge against Liu and had openly threatened to avenge against Liu.

On hearing Chen's threat, Liu decided to act first, Police said.

The other two men who were killed were natives of Guanghan with the surnames of Ruan and Zeng. The two wounded men were released from the hospital.

The Ministry of Public Security made the investigation of the case a priority on Feb. 2. Local police set up a special headquarters as well as an expert team to sort through about one thousand clues.

The police arrested the eight suspects in Deyang, Guanghan and Chongqing.

Three other suspects are wanted in connection with the case, including Liu.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2009)