Two women were killed in a brutal stabbing at a Diamond Hill mall on Friday. A 39-year-old suspect has been arrested. It is reported that the killer lives with his parents, three years ago attacked his family members, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and has been treated in the Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre. The psychiatrist pointed out that people with schizophrenia are rarely violent, but various external factors may cause them to perform aggressive acts.
Chief Executive John Lee said in response to the murder case on June 3 that the authorities would strengthen their work in four areas, including the Medical and Health Bureau and the Hospital Authority will review and optimize the treatment and rehabilitation services and processes for psychiatric patients; the Medical and Health Bureau will convene the Advisory Committee on Mental Health to explore a more comprehensive response to mental health issues in Hong Kong.
DotDotNews reporter returned to the crime scene yesterday and saw many people coming to place flowers in memory of the deceased. As for the home furnishing store where the suspect bought the knife, it continues to display a variety of knives, including a 12-inch sashimi knife of the same model as the murder weapon.
The reporter asked the male employee if he had any impression of the suspect buying a knife, he said: "I'm not sure, the case into the judicial process. After that, he did not give any more answers.
It is understood that the suspect lives with his parents in Tsz Lok Estate and his family of three lives on CSSA. He has been unemployed for nearly ten years and spends his days at home playing games. In 2020, he attacked his family members due to an argument and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He was forced to stay in Kwai Chung Hospital until discharged in December of the same year, where he was required to attend follow-up appointments every three months.
A HA spokesman said the patient was followed up at the psychiatric outpatient clinic of Kwai Chung Hospital, with the last follow-up appointment on March 7 this year and the next appointment on June 6 this year. The patient also received a community outreach visit from the case manager on May 29 this year.
According to the psychiatrist, patients with schizophrenia often feel uneasy and fearful that someone will do them harm, and they may talk to themselves. However, he pointed out that very few people with schizophrenia are violent unless they refuse or discontinue medication and treatment, combined with multiple factors such as ostracism, life stress, and drug abuse.
Suppose you notice abnormal behavior or self-talk in your family members. In that case, you may seek medical advice from your family doctor if the symptoms are mild so that the patients can lower their guard and be willing to receive psychiatric treatment. If the symptoms are severe or even hurt themselves or their families, family members should immediately call the police or accompany the patient to the emergency room for medical attention. The patient's condition can be controlled with regular medication and follow-up visits.
It happens that there is a similar case, another vicious incident of a man with a knife trying to hurt someone! A 24-year-old man, surnamed Cheung, wandered outside a flat in Mei Foo Sun Chuen yesterday with a knife and shouted. Police officers were called to the scene to seal off the building, arrested the man for "possessing offensive weapons," and recovered two kitchen knives. No one was injured in the incident.
It is understood that the arrested man suffered from schizophrenia about two years ago. It is suspected he heard a noise outside the house, so armed with two knives. The man was accompanied by his mother and sent by ambulance to the hospital for examination; no one was injured. During the search and arrest, many residents went downstairs to take temporary shelter.
Chief Executive John Lee said the government will step up its efforts in four areas to avoid a repeat of the tragedy. Among them, the Medical and Health Bureau will convene the Mental Health Advisory Committee as soon as possible to explore how to deal with mental health-related issues in a more integrated, safe, and comprehensive manner in Hong Kong.
The Advisory Committee on Mental Health believes this tragedy is an isolated incident and urges the public not to be unnecessarily fearful of people with mental health needs.
Some psychiatrists have told the author that individual psychiatric patients would appear normal at their follow-up appointments and refuse to take medication regularly when they return home, resulting in their condition getting out of control over time. Although the government needs to strengthen support for the mentally ill, it is even more important for family members to care for them.
Comment