Knife-wielding man shot by Hong Kong police dies after 10 days in critical condition

Police officers at the scene of the alleged attack in Kwai Chung on March 21.

Photo: Now TV News A knife-wielding attacker with suspected mental illness who was shot twice by police in Hong Kong’s Kwai Chung has died after spending 10 days in hospital in critical condition.

The government on Tuesday confirmed that the 43-year-old suspect, identified by the surname Chung, was pronounced dead at Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung at 8.47pm on Monday.

The incident occurred in the early hours of March 21 at the Kwai Chung section of Castle Peak Road, when three officers fired a total of five rounds at the construction worker after he allegedly charged at them with a 30cm (12-inch) serrated knife and a metre-long (3.2-foot) metal rod.

The suspect, who was found with a backpack containing camping gear and had no prior criminal record, is believed to have been suffering from mental health issues.

Three officers fired five shots at the man to subdue him.

He was hit in the chest and thigh and remained in critical condition for 10 days.

The 43-year-old suspect has died after spending 10 days in critical condition in Princess Margaret Hospital.

Photo: Felix Wong The force earlier defended the decision to use lethal force, noting that officers had no other choice but to shoot when the man ignored their verbal warnings and failed to be subdued with pepper spray.

Police stated that the suspect had yelled “I’ll kill you” while lunging at officers on Castle Peak Road.

Describing the use of firearms as “not an easy decision” only after ample warnings were ignored, the force said that its officers acted decisively in subduing an individual who posed a danger to both the public and police.

原文链接: 南华早报