Hong Kong police say officer pointed pepper solution launcher, not gun, at suspect after video of stand-off goes viral
- Clip shows about half-dozen officers surrounding suspect outside game centre in Jordan, with one brandishing pistol-shaped object
- But contrary to online claims weapon was revolver, force clarifies officer was holding OC launcher, a new riot-control device
Hong Kong police have clarified that a weapon an officer aimed at a suspect during a stand-off in Jordan was a pepper solution launcher shaped like a gun and not a revolver as some residents claimed after watching a video clip of the incident that went viral.
The video circulating online shows the man stepping out of a game centre on Friday night with his hands raised, surrounded by about a half-dozen officers wielding batons and at least one with the pistol-like object drawn.
While online commentators said the weapon was a gun, the force clarified on Saturday the officer was pointing an OC launcher, an anti-riot tool that fires an irritant solution. The force began testing the launchers last year as a less lethal alternative to the pepper-ball loading guns widely used during the anti-government protests in 2019.
According to police, the man was carrying a knife when he entered the game centre and damaged facilities at about 10pm on Friday. One of the responding officers drew his OC launcher after the man ignored repeated instructions from police, but the suspect was eventually subdued without the need for the weapon to be discharged, the force said.
The man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon.
The force said the launcher’s pepper solution was a natural mixture, and its effects reportedly wear off after 45 minutes.
