The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Monday issued an arrest warrant for a suspect in a workplace shooting in Henan Province. The suspect, identified by the MPS as Zhang Hongbin, allegedly shot dead a colleague surnamed Shi after after they quarreled while playing chess during their night shift on Dec. 2.

Zhang fled with a submachine gun and 80 bullets, according to the MPS.

The murder was committed in Baofeng County, Pingdingshan City. The MPS ordered authorities in Henan Province and neighboring provinces, including Hubei and Hebei, to launch an emergency search for the suspect.

The 38-year-old suspect is described as 1.8 meters tall with a long, thin face and sunken eyes.

The ministry did not reveal the nature of the suspect's employment. It said he was wearing a black leather jacket and trousers from a military uniform.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2007)