Government defends police's open fire decision in Tuen Mun knife attack incident

發佈日期: 2026-01-16 20:43

TVB News

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Sources say the 34-year-old man who was shot dead by the police on Thursday after a knife incident in Tuen Mun had suffered from psychosis.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang said the police's decision to open fire was not an easy one to make. Tang said the officers acted decisively and courageously.

Tuen Mun Town Plaza, where the incident happened, was open for business on Friday. Blood stains remained on the ground. Some workers used cloths to clean the scene.

The affected food stall, where the suspect seized a knife on Thursday night, had an open kitchen. Kitchenware was placed on the countertop. The incident happened at around 7 p.m. on Thursday.

This CCTV video captures the moment the man walked into the kitchen to take the knife. Another piece of CCTV footage shows a group of passersby running out of the mall. And seconds later, the suspect appears with a female hostage, whom he appeared to attempt to stab with the knife.

Two police officers fire at him and the man falls to the ground. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The deceased's family arrived at the mortuary this morning. His relative said the man sometimes visited his mother to eat with her after he had moved out.

The police said the suspect was Vietnamese but held a Hong Kong ID card. The man was said to have a triad background and a criminal history involving drugs. Sources say the man suffered from psychosis and antisocial personality disorder. He did not show up for his scheduled doctor appointment on Monday.

On a radio programme, Secretary for Security Chris Tang said opening fire was a difficult decision for the police to make. He said officers had to act decisively to save lives by aiming at the largest part of the suspect's body to stop him from endangering the lives of civilians.

The Hong Kong Red Cross reminds residents to take care of each others' emotional health amid the incident, adding that a 24/7 psychological support hotline is available for those in need.