A dramatic hostage incident unfolded last night at Tuen Mun Town Plaza in Hong Kong, ending with police officers fatally shooting a knife-wielding suspect who had seized a female victim in a crowded mall.
According to police reports, the suspect—a 34-year-old Vietnamese man holding a Hong Kong Identity Card—had earlier stolen a butcher knife from a supermarket kitchen. He then threatened pedestrians in a public area, causing panic.
Three officers from the Emergency Unit pursued the suspect and attempted to subdue him using pepper spray. When those efforts failed, the suspect stormed into the shopping mall and grabbed a female passerby, forcibly holding her in a chokehold while pressing the knife to her head.
Faced with an imminent threat to the hostage's life, police officers issued multiple warnings before each firing a shot. The suspect was struck twice and later pronounced dead. The hostage sustained minor injuries and was treated at a hospital.
A search of the suspect's backpack revealed suspected methamphetamine and a telescopic baton. Police believe the suspect may have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack.
Senior Superintendent CHUNG Lai Yee of the New Territories North Regional Crime Unit stated that the suspect had a criminal record linked to drug-related offenses and was believed to have triad affiliations. Investigators are looking into whether his behavior was influenced by narcotics and are also examining claims by the suspect's family that he had mental health issues.
The suspect, believed to have been suffering from mental illness for several years, had been receiving treatment and medication from Castle Peak Hospital. His family described him as having previously been "well-behaved" but noted recent behavioral changes. He had reportedly lost contact with relatives for at least two months.
Police are continuing their investigation into the source of the drugs found on the suspect and any potential connections with drug trafficking networks.
Tuen Mun District Deputy Commander, Senior Superintendent WONG Ho Hon, emphasized that police officers acted in accordance with strict guidelines on the use of firearms. Given the severity of the threat and lack of other viable options, the officers made a tactical decision to open fire to save the hostage's life.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang praised the officers' actions during a radio interview on Tuesday morning, calling their decision to fire "brave and decisive." He noted that the suspect was likely suffering from a mental breakdown and affirmed that saving lives was the priority in such dangerous scenarios.
Police forensic teams recovered two spent bullet casings and a bullet hole at the scene. CCTV footage confirms that the suspect acted alone.
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