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

A 43-year-old man, surnamed Chung, has died in a Hong Kong hospital after being shot by police officers who used five rounds of ammunition to subdue him. The incident occurred on March 21, when Chung was found armed with a knife and a metal rod in the middle of a road in Kwai Chung. The man was shot shortly after midnight, and despite receiving emergency treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries 10 days later, on March 31, at 8:47 pm.

The police were called to the scene after receiving reports of a man holding sharp objects near Tsuen Wan MTR Station and Castle Peak Road in Kwai Chung. Upon arrival, the officers from the police force's emergency unit (EU) attempted to communicate with Chung, giving him verbal warnings and urging him to disarm. However, Chung continued to act aggressively, wielding his knife and metal rod. In response, one of the officers sprayed Chung with pepper spray, but this failed to control him.

As Chung charged towards the police, shouting, "I'll hack you to death!", the officers escalated their response. After repeated warnings went unheeded, an EU police officer fired two gunshots at Chung. Despite this, Chung did not stop advancing. A second officer then fired an additional shot, which also proved ineffective. Finally, a third EU police officer fired two more shots, and Chung was subdued.

Chung was transported to Princess Margaret Hospital, where two gunshot wounds were discovered on his body—one in the right chest and the other in the right thigh. He remained in the hospital for 10 days, receiving treatment for his injuries. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated, and he passed away on March 31.

The police stated that Chung worked as an industrial worker and had no criminal record. This tragic incident highlights the challenging situations that law enforcement officers often face in their efforts to protect the public. In a separate incident on January 15, police also fired live rounds to subdue a knife-wielding man at Tuen Mun Town Plaza. Online footage from that event showed the suspect brandishing a knife on a sidewalk.

The Hong Kong Police Force has been under scrutiny in recent years due to concerns over the use of force and the deployment of officers during protests. This latest case adds to the ongoing debate about the appropriateness of police actions in high-stress situations. Authorities have pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding Chung's death to ensure that all procedures were followed and to determine if any improvements can be made in future encounters with armed individuals.

The community and the family of the deceased are mourning the loss of a life, while the incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement personnel in their daily duties. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the events that led to this tragic outcome and learning from them to prevent similar incidents in the future.