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Connor Mycroft

Hong Kong police officers rarely fire their guns, but when they do, it grips the city’s attention.
On Thursday, officers shot dead a man who had taken a woman hostage while brandishing a 30cm knife at a shopping centre in Tuen Mun.
Under police guidelines, officers may open fire to protect anyone – including themselves – from death or serious injury. They may also use lethal force against anyone believed to have committed a serious or violent crime and who is attempting to evade arrest.
Firearms may also be used to quell social unrest if no less deadly means are available.
In recent years, police officers have discharged their weapons on only a handful of occasions, mostly when confronting armed suspects or individuals acting violently.
The Post breaks down some of the most notable instances.
1. 2024 stand-off in North Point
In 2024, police responded to a report of a man attacking his wife and mother at their rooftop flat in North Point.
When officers arrived, they found the man wielding a knife and a pair of scissors. According to the force, officers tried to persuade him to drop the weapons, leading to a 30-second stand-off.
But the force said the man “suddenly lost control of emotions and attempted to attack one of the officers with the weapons in his hands”. An officer with eight years of service then shot the suspect.
The 38-year-old man later died in hospital. He was said to have a history of mental illness.
The force said at the time that the situation was so grave the officer was left with “no choice” but to open fire.
2. 2023 Peng Chau attack
In January 2023, an officer shot a Filipino man three times after being grabbed by the neck and pushed down a flight of stairs while investigating a routine noise complaint at a residence on Peng Chau island.
The officer had responded to a noise complaint at 10.40pm – the second in about two hours – at a flat on Wing On Street in the quiet village community.
The 43-year-old opened the door and attacked the officer, grabbing his neck so hard that he apparently drew blood, the force said. The man then pushed the policeman down the stairs, ran after him and continued the attack.

The officer, a 35-year veteran of the force, fired his gun three times, hitting the suspect in the abdomen and arm.
The suspect, who held a Hong Kong identity card, was airlifted to hospital, where he underwent surgery for his wounds.
3. 2019 social unrest
There were several incidents involving discharged firearms during the anti-government protests in 2019, but the most notable involved Patrick Chow Pak-kwan, who was shot at point-blank range after trying to steal an officer’s gun.
The incident, captured on video and shared widely online, occurred on November 11, 2019, about five months into the anti-government protests triggered by a now-abandoned extradition bill.
During the confrontation, Chow, who was unarmed, tried to grab a policeman’s .38 revolver while the officer was grappling with an unidentified protester. Chow was shot in the abdomen and later had a kidney and part of his liver removed.

He was subsequently found guilty on charges related to the incident, including robbery, wilfully obstructing a police officer and attempting to escape from lawful custody.
The judge overseeing the case said it was “completely reasonable” for the officer to use his gun, given that his “safety was severely threatened”.
4. 2019 Tuen Mun car park
In May 2019, a policeman fired three shots at a man who was trying to run him over after an operation in Tuen Mun turned violent.
Officers had initially spotted a suspicious vehicle driving along Tuen Mun Road, which they pursued into a car park at Yau Oi Estate, a public housing estate in the district.
After checking the scene, armed officers stood guard at the car park’s exit, waiting for the vehicle to emerge.
When it did, an officer tried to approach but slipped and fell. The car then sped towards him, prompting the officer to fire three shots after giving a verbal warning.
The driver sustained injuries to his left arm.
5. 2019 knife attack at supermarket
In March 2019, officers shot dead a knife-wielding man in Yau Ma Tei after he attacked a supermarket manager with whom he had argued minutes earlier.
Officers patrolling the area noticed the man running along Reclamation Street carrying a 40cm knife.
They gave chase and shouted at him, but he ignored them and ran into the Kai Bo Food Supermarket, where he began attacking the store manager.
Police issued two warnings before opening fire. When the man tried to strike the victim again, an officer shot him from about a metre away.
The bullet struck the right side of his chest, and he was later certified dead at a nearby hospital.


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Hong Kong’s rare cases of police officers opening fire on duty

Officers draw their guns on a man who had taken a woman hostage while brandishing a 30cm knife at a shopping centre in Tuen Mun. Photo: Handout

Police officers at the scene of an attack on an officer on Peng Chau island. Photo: Handout

Patrick Chow was shot at point-blank range after trying to grab a policeman’s revolver. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong police shoot and kill man wielding 30cm knife in Tuen Mun

Police officers point their weapons at the man in Tuen Mun Town Plaza. Photo: Handout

Police opened fire after the man brandished the cleaver. Photo: Handout

The man was seen with a large knife. Photo: Handout

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

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

The Post revisits notable incidents when the city’s officers drew their guns, ranging from knife attacks to protest clashes


The Post revisits notable incidents when the city’s officers drew their guns, ranging from knife attacks to protest clashes.


Hong Kong police

Hong Kong’s rare cases of police officers opening fire on duty

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Post revisits notable incidents when the city’s officers drew their guns, ranging from knife attacks to protest clashes

1. 2024 stand-off in North Point

The Post revisits notable incidents when the city’s officers drew their guns, ranging from knife attacks to protest clashes