TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —  A volunteer soldier in New Taipei was charged with the murder of his girlfriend, also a soldier, on Saturday (May 18). 

The man, a 19-year-old surnamed Hsu (許), got into an argument with his 19-year-old girlfriend, surnamed Liu (劉), after she decided to end their relationship. Hsu reportedly suffocated Liu with a pillow around 9 a.m. on Saturday at her residence in Taishan District, reported LTN. 

Both Hsu and Liu were volunteer soldiers training with the military police. The two had reportedly been separated into different work units due to previous disputes and emotional outbursts, per reports.

Hsu was discovered at the scene of the crime by the victim’s siblings the morning of the murder. Liu was reportedly planning to spend the day with her siblings, and an alarm was raised when she did not respond to her sister’s messages. 

The sister, who also lived at the residence, discovered her sister unresponsive as Hsu tried to leave the scene at approximately 10 a.m. When confronted by Liu’s siblings, Hsu ran to the kitchen, grabbed a fruit knife, and attempted to cut his wrists.

Hsu’s self-inflicted injuries were not serious, and he was detained by the siblings until police arrived. Hsu and Liu were both rushed to the hospital, where Liu was declared dead shortly after arrival, per UDN. 

Hsu was detained and charged with homicide and domestic violence by the New Taipei District Prosecutor. Hsu reportedly confessed to the crime but denied he had any intention to kill Liu.