Girlfriend sees constable end life with own gun

A policeman involved in a love triangle died after shooting himself in the head with his service revolver yesterday as his 29-year-old girlfriend - who was married to a fellow officer - looked on.

Constable Ma Tsan-lun, 24, who died instantly from a single shot to the temple, changed into civilian clothes before driving to his police station with the loaded weapon.

Ma, who was attached to a patrol sub-unit at Yuen Long police station, did not return his revolver to the police armoury or apply for leave before he left the station at about noon, Yuen Long divisional commander Superintendent Lam Chark-sang said.

The officer then picked up his girlfriend and drove to a remote piece of government land in Nga Cheung Road, opposite the Yau Ma Tei waterfront.

An argument ensued before he jumped out of the car and shot himself in the head as his girlfriend looked on.

A police source said: 'The constable and his girlfriend apparently had a dispute over their relationship inside the car. During the dispute, he jumped out of the car and pointed his gun to his right temple and fired a shot.'

Emergency crews went to the scene at about 1pm. Ma was taken to Kwong Wah Hospital where he was declared dead. The police source said Ma had apparently planned the act because a note to his parents was found in the car.