Hong Kong police officer believed to have taken own life with service revolver in New Territories station
- Colleagues discovered constable in toilet with gunshot wound to his left temple at about 7.15am
- Search for officer was launched after he failed to return his weapon to armoury at end of his overnight shift
A Hong Kong police officer died on Friday from what colleagues believed to be a self-inflicted wound with his service revolver in the New Territories station where he worked.
The constable, part of the Emergency Unit of the New Territories North regional headquarters, was found inside the eighth-floor lavatory of the Tai Po compound at about 7.15am, according to a force insider.
“An initial examination showed he suffered a gunshot wound to the head near his right temple,” the source said.
The 33-year-old constable, who was married to a policewoman, was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, where he was certified dead.
“The investigation suggested one shot was fired from the constable’s revolver. We believed he shot himself in the head with his own gun,” the insider said.
Another source said a preliminary investigation suggested the constable had financial difficulties.
According to the force, a service pistol was found next to the officer and a suicide note was also discovered.
“Upon initial investigation, it is believed he committed suicide with his service revolver,” police said in a statement. A postmortem examination would be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death.
“Police express sorrow and regret over the death of the officer and extend sympathies to his family. Police will offer assistance to the family members of the deceased,” the force said.
The case came to light when the officer failed to return his weapon to the armoury after his overnight shift ended at 7am, sparking the search. Detectives with the unit are now investigating possible motives for the presumed suicide.
In December last year, an off-duty veteran officer, 57, was suspected to have committed suicide by shooting himself in the head in Cheung Chau Police Station after leaving colleagues a phone message asking them to tell his wife.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on +1 800 273 8255. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.
