The Hong Kong Police Force on Monday defended an officer’s decision to open fire on a man who charged at them with weapons in both hands after a report of domestic violence at a North Point flat.
The force said officers were called to Kam Ping Mansion at around 9 pm yesterday about a domestic violence case, with a woman claiming she and her mother-in-law being assaulted by her husband.
Read more: Suspect shot dead after threatening to stab mother and wife
Superintendent Sin Kwok-ming told a media briefing early today that the officer opened fire after repeated warnings as the suspect ran towards the police team carrying a knife in one hand and scissors in the other.
‘It was a critical situation. The deceased was holding weapons in both hands as he advanced towards our colleagues,’ the superintendent said, adding that the officer acted appropriately in such a situation, having no choice but to fire his weapon.
He said the suspect was about 1.5 meters away and that officers were trained to shoot at the largest part of the body – with the man being shot in the chest.
The man was taken to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai, where he was declared dead a little over an hour later.
Sin said the deceased had a history of mental illness, with his family members noting his condition has worsened recently.
He said the force will launch a full investigation into the matter, with the case now being investigated by the Hong Kong Island Regional Crime Unit.
