Police shoot knife-wielding man in Kwai Chung after warnings ignored

A 43-year-old man was shot by police early Saturday morning in Kwai Chung after he repeatedly ignored commands to drop his knife and pointed it at officers.

Police received a public report shortly before 2am this morning about a man holding a knife and behaving erratically on Castle Peak Road near Yip Shing Street in Kwai Chung. He was walking toward a nearby petrol station in a threatening manner.

Officers quickly arrived and located the suspect more than a kilometer away on the center lane of Castle Peak Road, heading against traffic from Tsuen Wan toward Lai King. He was wrapped in a blanket and carrying sharp weapons in both hands.

Police attempted to communicate and ordered him to drop the weapons, but he became agitated and suddenly raised a knife toward the officers. Several officers drew their firearms.

After repeated warnings failed, at least two officers fired, with a total of five shots heard.

The man was hit in the chest and thigh, collapsed, and lost consciousness.

Paramedics rushed him to Princess Margaret Hospital for emergency treatment.

The scene was cordoned off for investigation. Officers recovered a knife, a nylon bag, and bloodstains on the roadside.

Detectives from the crime unit are handling the case and examining the man’s identity and motives.