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Hong Kong police shoot demonstrator during morning rush-hour Hong Kong police shoot demonstrator during morning rush-hour
(about 1 hour later)
Protester is shot in chest as officer struggles with another demonstrator during unrest Protester shot in chest in critical condition as police fire tear gas and pepper spray on demonstrators
Hong Kong police shot at least one protester on Monday during rush hour as anti-government demonstrators blocked roads and called for a day of strikes, following clashes at the weekend. Hong Kong police shot at least one protester on Monday during rush hour as anti-government demonstrators blocked roads and clashed with police throughout the city.
In video captured by local media, a police officer who was struggling to subdue a protester fired three live rounds at demonstrators in Sai Wan Ho in northeastern Hong Kong. One demonstrator who did not appear to be armed was shot at point-blank range in the torso and crumpled to the ground. Two other shots can be heard, as another protester fell to the ground. It was not clear if he had been shot. In video captured by local media, a police officer struggling to subdue a protester fired three live rounds at demonstrators in Sai Wan Ho in northeastern Hong Kong. One demonstrator, who did not appear to be armed, was shot at point-blank range in the torso and crumpled to the ground.
The protester who was shot at close range lay on the ground in a pool of blood as police cuffed his hands behind his back. He appeared to be conscious. Later, he tries to run from police but is quickly caught. The protester lay on the ground in a pool of blood as police cuffed his hands behind his back. He appeared to be conscious and later attempted to run from police but was quickly caught.
The video, taken by Cupid Producer, was circulated widely online after protesters blocked roads and public transit stations during the morning rush hour. It followed the death of a student protester on Friday who fell from a car park during a demonstration. Apple Daily reported that two teenagers were shot and injured on Monday. In a statement, the government confirmed that a police officer had discharged his service revolver and that a man had been shot. Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority said that it had received one patient with a gunshot wound, a 21 year old, who as of 10am local time remained in critical condition. Local media reported that the demonstrator had undergone surgery.
In a statement, the police did not comment on the incident but said “radical protesters” had set up barricades in multiple locations, “causing serious obstruction to traffic”. Hong Kong broadcaster Cable TV reported that the demonstrator shot by police had undergone surgery and was in stable condition. The South China Morning Post reported that the shot demonstrator was still in a critical condition and was 21 years old. The video, taken by Cupid Producer, was circulated widely online after protesters blocked roads and public transit stations during the morning rush hour. Protesters have called for a day of strikes, following the death of a student protester on Friday who fell from a car park during a demonstration.
The shooting has escalated already high tensions as skirmishes broke out throughout Hong Kong on Monday. The police fired tear gas and pepper spray on residents and demonstrators in multiple locations as protesters blocked roads, set fires, and hurled objects at police. The shooting has escalated already high tensions as skirmishes broke out in chaotic scenes throughout Hong Kong on Monday. The police fired tear gas and pepper spray and aimed their firearms at residents and demonstrators in multiple locations as protesters blocked roads, lit fires, and hurled objects at police.
Defending the use of firearms, the government said: “Police has strict guidelines and orders regarding the use of firearms. All police officers are required to justify their enforcement actions.”
In Sai Wan Ho, a woman rushed at the police just after the shooting and was subdued as a crowd of residents shouted at the officers, calling them “murderers,” and threw plastic crates at them. The police fired pepper spray at the angry crowd.In Sai Wan Ho, a woman rushed at the police just after the shooting and was subdued as a crowd of residents shouted at the officers, calling them “murderers,” and threw plastic crates at them. The police fired pepper spray at the angry crowd.
“Hong Kong police gone nuts,” pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo wrote on Twitter alongside a video appearing to show a motorcycle policeman driving straight at protesters. “They seem to truly think they’re above the law. This has been almost like Tiananmen Square in slow motion.”“Hong Kong police gone nuts,” pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo wrote on Twitter alongside a video appearing to show a motorcycle policeman driving straight at protesters. “They seem to truly think they’re above the law. This has been almost like Tiananmen Square in slow motion.”
Others criticised how police handled the injured demonstrators, turning over one who was laying face downOthers criticised how police handled the injured demonstrators, turning over one who was laying face down
At Polytechnic University in Hung Hom, police fired tear gas at protesters who were throwing petrol bombs from a footbridge. At the Chinese University in Shatin, police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators. In Wong Tai Sin, protesters dug up bricks and threw them onto a main road to block traffic.At Polytechnic University in Hung Hom, police fired tear gas at protesters who were throwing petrol bombs from a footbridge. At the Chinese University in Shatin, police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators. In Wong Tai Sin, protesters dug up bricks and threw them onto a main road to block traffic.
Earlier, police said protesters had blocked the Cross Harbour Tunnel, linking Kowloon to Hung Hom, and had lit fires in Shatin and Tuen Mun, obstructing traffic. Several mass transit railway (MTR) lines were delayed or suspended as some protesters were seen smashing gates at MTR stations. Some public facilities have been closed early and at least two universities have cancelled classes for the day. Earlier, police said protesters had blocked the Cross Harbour Tunnel, linking Kowloon to Hung Hom, and had lit fires in Shatin and Tuen Mun, obstructing traffic. Several mass transit railway (MTR) lines were delayed or suspended as some protesters were seen smashing gates at MTR stations.
Hong Kong is facing its most serious political crisis in decades as anti-government protests over the last five months have shown few signs of stopping. Public anger reached a new level on Friday after the death of a 22-year old demonstrator who succumbed to injuries sustained earlier in the week when he fell one storey in a car park during a protest. At least two universities have cancelled classes for the day. By the early afternoon, protesters had gathered in central Hong Kong, facing off with riot police with their umbrellas.
In the days after his death, demonstrators vandalised restaurants and stores seen by protesters as pro-government, hurled molotov cocktails at a police station, and clashed with police. In a statement in the early hours of Monday, police said 88 people had been arrested for unlawful assembly, possessing offensive weapons, criminal damage, and covering their faces while at an unlawful assembly. Monday marks the third time police have shot demonstrators with live rounds. In the two previous cases the police claimed they fired in self defence and the demonstrators, who were both teenagers, recovered.
Hong Kong is facing its most serious political crisis in decades as protests, initially over an extradition bill that would send suspects to mainland China, have taken on new demands, chief among them an independent investigation into alleged police brutality.
Public mistrust of the police has reached a new level, following the death on Friday of a 22-year old demonstrator who succumbed to injuries sustained earlier in the week when he fell one storey in a car park during a protest. In the days after his death, demonstrators vandalised restaurants and stores seen by protesters as pro-government, hurled petrol bombs and bricks a police and a police station.
Experts believe today’s shooting in addition to the death of the protester on Friday has raised the stakes of the protest movement now entering its sixth month.
“With this televised shooting of an unarmed protesters point blank … the militant protesters would believe more firmly they have to fight back by any means necessary, and the public opinion will be further against the police and the government,” said Ho-Fung Hung, a professor in political economy and chair of the department of sociology at Johns Hopkins University.
“With both sides digging in, the conflict is likely to escalate. Large turnout of recent peaceful rally shows that the movement has not yet worn out as the government hopes,” he said. “A war has started.”