Scene of the incident Photo: Screenshot from media reports

Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chris Tang Ping-keung on Friday commended the police officers who opened fire the previous day in Tuen Mun to apprehend a knife-wielding man who had taken a passerby hostage, describing them as extremely brave and decisive, local media RTHK reported. Some netizens also commended the two police officers for remaining calm in the face of danger, while others expressed concerns over the move.

The case happened at about 7:10 pm on Thursday, police received a report from a staff member of a shop on Tuen Shun Street that a man fled away after stealing a knife from the shop, according to a press release by the HKSAR government on Friday.

Subsequently, police have also received multiple reports that a man holding a knife was found wandering in the vicinity of Tuen Wui Street. Police officers sped to the scene and located the man, who was holding a 12-inch-long knife, outside the entrance of a shopping mall on Tuen Shun Street, read the release.

The release said that despite multiple verbal warnings given by the officers, the man refused to cooperate and an officer discharged one burst of pepper spray. The man then fled into the mall and exited from another entrance shortly afterwards. He then held a female passerby hostage and attempted to assault her with the knife.

It noted that officers gave further verbal warnings to the man but in vain. To ensure the safety of the hostage, two police officers each fired a shot at the man, said the release.

Sustaining shot wounds to his shoulder and chest, the 34-year-old man was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 8:47 pm; the 51-year-old woman, who was held hostage, was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital in conscious state, according to the release.

Some suspected dangerous drug and an extendable baton were seized from the man and the bag he carried, the release said.

A senior superintendent Chung Lai Yee said that the criminal held a Hong Kong ID card, had a triad background and a criminal record related to drugs, RTHK reported. Chung did not rule out the possibility that he was under the influence of drugs during the offense but believed he had no accomplices, the report added.

Chung added that whether the man had mental health issues would require further understanding through his family. The case has been handed over to the Crime New Territories North Headquarters for follow-up, per RTHK.

The police officers' act of shooting to save the live has drawn attention from netizens. Some Hong Kong citizens praised the two officers on social media, commending them for remaining calm under pressure, resolute and courageous.

Others commented that the police saved an innocent life in a split second, safeguarding public safety with their professionalism and sense of responsibility.

"Thank you to the police officers for preventing a major tragedy with casualties," expressed a Hong Kong citizen.

At the same time, some netizens expressed concern that shooting at close range could potentially harm the female passerby who was being held hostage, local media reported on Friday.

Wong Ho Hon, Deputy Tuen Mun district commander, said that given the seriousness of the incident, the two officers choosing to conduct immediate tactical intervention by shooting at the largest area of the body were in strict compliance with the police's firearm usage protocols, RTHK reported.

A review of relevant news reports by the Global Times shows this is the first time in two years that the Hong Kong police have opened fire to uphold public order.

Wong said that the decision to use a firearm is never easy for any officer, noting that in this case, it was done as a last resort to save the life of an innocent female passerby who was being held hostage, per the report.


Global Times