He is thought to have murdered and robbed at least 10 people across China from 2004 to 2012, and was classified as an A-level wanted criminal by the Ministry of Public Security until he was killed in a police shootout.

In 1997, he was arrested again after purchasing an illegal Type 54 pistol near the border of mainland China and Burma in Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan, but was released after paying a fine.

The accident was found to be the result of overloading, leading to the minibus being impounded and Zhou being ordered to pay the passengers' medical expenses and compensation.

[6] Zhou Kehua is suspected to have killed ten people and robbed millions of yuan in Jiangsu, Hunan and Chongqing between 2004 and 2012.

[4] According to police investigators in Changsha, Zhou had been a mercenary soldier in Burma from 2002 to 2004, explaining his familiarity with guns.