A police officer fatally shot a man who charged at them with weapons in both hands after a reported domestic violence incident in North Point on Sunday evening, authorities said.
Officers were called to Kam Ping Mansion in Kam Ping Street around 9 p.m. by the 38-year-old man’s wife, who said he had attacked her and his 69-year-old mother, according to Superintendent Sin Kwok-ming.
At a press briefing, Sin said the officer opened fire after repeatedly warning the suspect, who was running towards the police team carrying a knife in one hand and scissors in the other.
“The officer acted properly in this critical situation,” Sin said, expressing sympathy to the man’s family. He noted the suspect was about 1.5 meters away, and officers are trained to aim for the largest part of the body.
The injured man was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai, where he was pronounced dead just over an hour later. Sin said the deceased had a history of mental illness.
Footage taken by bystanders showed the man being placed into an ambulance with a neck brace, as paramedics performed CPR.
The 69-year-old mother was also hospitalized for head injuries and a fractured hand, but was reported to be in stable condition.
The officer involved has eight years of experience, police said. The Hong Kong Island Regional Crime Unit is investigating the incident.
