The alleged gunman, Zhu Jun, barged into an office at a local court in Yongzhou City, in Hunan province, just after 10 a.m and shot the judges, authorities told the Xinhua news agency.

Zhu, 46, headed a security squad in Lingling District, Xinhua reported, adding that earlier that morning, he took a submachine gun and two pistols from a subordinate and said he would have the guns examined by higher authorities.

The divorced Zhu had a son and was living with his parents, Xinhua reported.

The investigation showed Zhu committed the attack to take revenge on the court, Xinhua said.

Zhu's family and colleagues told police he thought the court unjustly handled the property division when the couple divorced three years ago.

The victims were not involved in Zhu's divorce case, police said, according to Xinhua.

Zhu was on sick leave at home for two months and only came back to work three days ago, they said.