Police in Changsha, Hunan Province, have denied a recent online post which claimed that the son of an official beat a 24-year-old university graduate to death during a money dispute. 

The post sparked outrage as many netizens questioned the public security bureau for shielding the suspect because of his identity.

The post, written by the victim's girlfriend, stated that the victim, Xie Benzong, was bitten by two dogs when he was walking in Meixihu Park, Changsha, on January 30. 

Police were called and the dog owner, Guo Bin, was ordered to pay Xie 600 yuan ($96) as compensation. But Guo refused and right after the police left, Guo viciously punched and kicked Xie, resulting in serious head injuries. Xie was rushed to hospital and died five days later, the post said. 

The post stressed that Guo is a civil servant and "an official's son."

The Changsha public security bureau, however, said Sunday that the suspect was detained two days after the incident occurred, and clarified that Guo, 32, is not an official's son nor a civil servant.

"Police immediately launched an investigation, and urged Guo to surrender on February 1. Guo was detained on the same day," the Changsha public security bureau said in a statement.

Some netizens questioned why police did not arrest Guo on January 30 but urged him to surrender instead, which would lead to a lighter punishment.

A Changsha police officer surnamed Wu confirmed with the Global Times Monday that Guo is not an official's son. He explained that Guo ran away from the scene immediately after he beat Xie.

"The accusation is ridiculous. The suspect ran away. Police went to Guo's home that day but failed to arrest him. Investigation and arrest takes time," he said.

Wu said Guo will be transferred to prosecutors and stressed that the police will handle the case and will treat suspects equally according to the rule of law regardless of one's status.  

Xinhua News Agency reported that the families of Guo and Xie had reached an agreement over compensation on February 5 and that 840,000 yuan ($134,447) would be paid to Xie's family.