Police open fire in Yau Ma Tei
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At about 10pm yesterday, a large number of rioters gathered in the vicinity of Austin Road, Police set up cordon line there. A private car suddenly drove through the cordon line and attempted to hit an officer. After given warning by the officer, the car once drove backward but attempted to hit the officer again, seriously threatening the safety of the officers at scene. Having given warning to the driver in vain, an officer fired one shot at the car which subsequently fled towards Tsim Sha Tusi East direction.
In the small hours today, Police arrested a 20-year-old woman for "taking part in an unlawful assembly" at the junction of Nathan Road and Jordan Road. Since the arrested woman sustained head injury, an ambulance was arranged to send her to hospital for treatment and two Police officers were deployed for escort. At about 3am, when the officers were escorting the arrested woman to the ambulance, a large number of rioters attacked the ambulance and took away the arrested woman. Two police officers responsible for the escort were trapped inside the ambulance and attacked by rioters with stones, bricks and unknown liquids. The lives of the officers were under serious threat. Having given warnings to the rioters in vain, an officer fired three warning shots.
Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Yau Tsim District is underway.
Police express severe condemnation against rioters' act of assaulting police officers and aiding the arrested woman to escape. The woman is being wanted by Police. Police stress that “Assisting Offender” is a serious offence and offenders shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for ten years.
Police reiterate that no violent behaviour will be tolerated. Police will continue to take resolute enforcement action so as to restore the city’s public order and bring all lawbreakers to justice.
Ends/Monday, November 18, 2019
Issued at HKT 14:27
Issued at HKT 14:27
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