Man stabs two to death outside shopping mall

A man stabbed two people to death in Beijing on Wednesday, one of whom was a foreigner, Beijing police said Wednesday.

The incident took place on the east side of the popular Joy City Mall in Chaoyang district, Beijing around 5 pm on Wednesday afternoon.

The man stabbed two people, a man and a woman, with a knife and was caught by the police at the scene.

The police did not disclose further information about the victims but a witness told the Global Times that the female victim died in front of the mall. "The male victim was stabbed to death near the roadside green belt," said the witness.

It was unclear which victim is the foreigner.

The killer is said to be a 27-year-old man from Yishui, East China's Shandong Province whose surname is Xiao. Police said Xiao has a history of mental illness.

Another witness contacted by the Global Times said Xiao held a long knife, probably a machete, and chased the woman along the street.

"He killed the male victim first and then came to the woman. Several security guards tried to stop him. They fought the killer with sticks and stools. Everyone was screaming and running," said the witness.

Police said they are further investigating the case and are contacting the victims' family.