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Ng Kang-chung

The widow of a mentally ill Hong Kong man shot dead by police responding to a domestic violence call has said she regrets seeking help from the force and its actions were “unacceptable”.
The distraught woman spoke to reporters outside police headquarters on Sunday after filing a formal complaint.
“I called police because I wanted them to come to help me, not to shoot dead my husband,” said the widow, who asked to remain anonymous and was clutching a portrait of her husband.
“I very much regret that I called police.”
The deceased’s elder brother said the family had contacted the Complaints Against Police Office.
Police last Sunday responded to a report from the 41-year-old woman saying her husband was assaulting her and the man’s 68-year-old mother at their rooftop flat on Kam Ping Street, North Point.
Officers wielding shields arrived at the scene and found the 38-year-old man holding a knife measuring about 30cm long and a pair of scissors. Police said they confronted him and repeatedly told him to put down his weapons.
But the man allegedly lashed out and attempted to attack one of the officers with the weapons, according to the force.
Police said one of the officers fired a shot from a distance of about 1.5 metres, hitting the man’s chest, after he failed to heed repeated verbal warnings.
He was later certified dead at 10.39pm. The woman was not injured, but her mother-in-law sustained injuries to her left hand and head.
The incident sparked debate over the use of force, with some questioning whether officers could have handled the situation better.
The widow said on Sunday she remained unconvinced by the police explanation that officers were left with no other choice but to open fire.
“Police officers are trained professionals. If [my husband] was emotional, they could try to persuade him, or negotiate with him, or get other professionals’ help,” she said.
“Even if attacked, they could choose to retreat, or they could have shot his arm or abdomen.
“It is unacceptable that they shot him dead. The distance was 1.5 metres. My husband’s hands should not be long enough to reach the officers.”

She had locked herself in her room during the altercation and said she did not know why he suddenly became emotional that night and beat them.
She said she felt she was to blame for her husband’s death.
“I feel guilty. I feel responsible for the death of my husband. I just can’t sleep, don’t want to eat,” she said tearfully.
Investigations by the Hong Kong Island regional crime unit are ongoing. It will submit a report to the coroner’s court for them to decide whether to hold an inquest.
A police spokesman on Sunday evening said the force had strict guidelines over the use of firearms and various levels of force.
He said the preliminary investigations showed the officer had complied with guidelines in deciding to shoot the man.
Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai, an associate dean at the University of Hong Kong’s faculty of social sciences, described the incident as a tragedy for both the family and police.
Yip, also a member of the advisory committee on mental health under the Health Bureau, said lethal force might not have been necessary if officers had been aware of the man’s medical history or employed better defensive strategies.
Additional reporting by Danny Mok


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Crime in Hong Kong

‘Unacceptable’: Hong Kong widow of man shot dead by police says she regrets call for help

The deceased’s widow (right) spoke to reporters outside police headquarters after filing a formal complaint. Photo: Handout

Police last Sunday responded to a report from a woman saying her husband was assaulting her and the man’s 68-year-old mother at their rooftop flat on Kam Ping Street, North Point. Photo: Jelly Tse

What are Hong Kong police’s gun rules and how did officer end up fatally shooting man?

Hong Kong police must undergo training to fully understand the legitimate uses of force. Photo: May Tse

The Police General Orders state that officers may shoot to protect anyone, including themselves, from death or serious injury. Photo: May Tse

Outside the Kam Ping Street site. Police have defended the officer’s decision to shoot the suspect. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong police officer acted professionally to fatally shoot armed man, force says

The man had a knife and a pair of scissors when he was dashing towards officers, police said. Photo: Google Maps

Superintendent Sin Kwok-ming says the man showed signs of recently having a mental illness relapse. Photo: Handout

The injured man was taken to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai, where he later died. Photo: Nora Tam

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Family files complaint to police over officer’s decision to shoot mentally ill man when responding to domestic violence call


Family files complaint to police over officer’s decision to shoot mentally ill man when responding to domestic violence call.


Crime

Mental health

Hong Kong police