Photo: The notice released by Muchuan public security bureau

A 36-year-old homicide suspect surnamed Li, who is suspected of shooting three dead and wounding two others on Tuesday in Muchuan county in Leshan City, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, was found dead on Saturday, according to local police.

The body of the suspect, who had been at large since the case was first reported, was found during a search operation in the mountainous area of Huangdan township in Muchuan county, according to a notice issued by Leshan police. 

DNA test results show that the body is the suspected Li, with police believing the suspect fell to his death. The case is still under investigation. Li was a police officer in Muchuan, the notice said. He was on duty when the incident occurred, which explained why he had access to a firearm..

The injured included a female surnamed Yang and her cousin, while Yang's two children and their grandfather were killed, thepaper.cn reported. Li set fire to the house where the three bodies were left following Li's rampage.

Li and Yang got to know each other and established a relationship at the end of 2020.  Financial issues also occurred between the pair, according to media reports. The incident occurred on Tuesday when the two met to discuss ending their relationship, the notice said.

The gun and bullets involved in the case was seized by police earlier and the Muchuan police bureau on Wednesday released a notice announcing a reward of 100,000 yuan ($14,821) for those who can provide useful tips or information leading to the arrest of the suspect.   

Li, who is about 170 centimeters tall, was born on October 15, 1986, according to the notice released by the local police. The injured are being treated in hospital, and are in good condition, said the police on Wednesday.  

An onsite video showed an unmanned aerial vehicle with a loudspeaker saying, "you're surrounded; voluntarily turn yourself in," according to earlier media reports. 

An employee from Muchuan police bureau said the suspect had a motive to commit crimes but the employee didn't say why the suspect had a gun as the investigation is underway, according to media reports.  

The suspect reportedly abandoned the car near an electric power station and fled into the mountains based on the local villagers. Then he seized a motorcycle nearby and ran away on Tuesday, according to Shandong-based Haibao News.  

A local resident who participated in the search told Haibao News that they went into the mountains at 8 am and searched until 5 pm. They were divided into different groups with at least five people in one team for safety, according to the report. 

At least 300 militiamen participated the searching operation for the suspect, A local resident who participated in the search told Haibao News in earlier interview.