China has issued a formal complaint after an AWOL North Korean soldier killed four Chinese civilians in Jilin province.

South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency and Dong-A Ilbo newspaper quoted an anonymous source stating that the army deserter crossed into China early on the morning of December 27, fatally shooting an elderly ethnic Korean and his wife, then beat to death another elderly couple and finally stole some money and food at a third house.

Chinese police and military shot the North Korean later that day. He remains at a local hospital, where he has not regained consciousness.

Chinese media reported