Hong Kong police on high alert for copycat attacks after July 1 officer stabbing by ‘lone-wolf domestic terrorist’
- Raid on assailant’s home finds at least five notes, some of which decry national security law, as well as a large amount of ‘propaganda material’
- Police separately arrest man on Friday believed connected to the throwing of flammable objects near Government House
Police were already out in force to prevent anti-government protests marking the anniversary when the assailant attacked the 28-year-old constable without warning from behind, then stabbed himself before he was subdued by other officers at the scene.
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Assailant dies after stabbing Hong Kong police officer and then himself on busy street
The victim, from the Police Tactical Unit with eight years of service, was on duty in uniform outside the Sogo department store in Causeway Bay when he suffered a 10cm-deep wound – nearly the entire length of the blade which pierced his lung.
He underwent emergency surgery at Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam on Thursday night and Friday morning, and his condition had improved from critical to serious as of publication time.
Sources said police were on full alert on the streets and had also stepped up cyber patrols, fearing copycat attacks with people already encouraging others on social media to target more officers.
Fully armed police in protective vests guarded the scene of the attack on Friday, reacting to calls online for people to gather there to “mourn” the assailant’s death and pay tribute to him.
