Virus crackdown produces unexpected result

Killer gives himself up after two decades on the run

A murderer gave himself up on Tuesday 21 years after absconding, because of strict security measures applied in Guiyang, the capital city of Southwest China's Guizhou province amid the coronavirus epidemic.

According to Zhou Shuai, a local policeman who was on duty that night, a man surnamed Wang came into the police station and confessed to a homicide committed two decades ago.

In 1998, Wang, from Linjiang city in Jilin province, together with three accomplices robbed and killed a taxi driver.

According to his confession, over the past 20 years Wang has moved around the country, staying in hiding and avoiding make friends. Living every day in fear of discovery, he only took physical labor jobs to earn a living, in case he exposed his real identity.

However, strict protective measures taken by Guiyang due to the spread of novel coronavirus meant people having to show their identity card before entering any communities or using public transport.

Wang even had difficulty eating as most restaurants have closed, and after several days on the streets, he could not put up with the situation any longer.

"I was in such a desperation position that was tired of hiding here and there for 21 years. So far I am so exhausted and finally decide to give myself up" said Wang.