Hong Kong policeman injured in knife attack by ‘mentally ill’ suspect
Victim was visiting mother at Kwai Chung housing estate when attacker slashed him multiple times with 8cm folding knife
An off-duty police officer was injured on Sunday night in an attack at a Kwai Chung housing estate by a man thought to have mental health issues.
Authorities said the actions of the assailant could have been triggered by noises made by the officer as he opened the gate to his mother’s flat on the seventh floor.
Ng Chiu-hung, 49, a senior police constable from an investigation team at the Kowloon West regional traffic unit, was visiting his mother in Fung Yam House at On Yam Estate.
As he reached the door of the flat at about 9pm, the suspect suddenly came out of the property opposite, a police source said.
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The 52-year-old man allegedly attacked Ng multiple times with an 8cm folding knife, leaving wounds on his head, chest and limbs, as well as a gash in his abdomen.
A female neighbour who witnessed the incident called for help. The suspect was arrested at the scene.
The officer was taken conscious to Princess Margaret Hospital, where he underwent an operation early Monday morning and remained in the intensive care unit.
The source added that Ng suffered at least seven cut wounds in the incident.
“He is in a conscious state in hospital and his condition is not life-threatening,” another police source said.
At lunchtime on Monday, detectives returned to the estate to conduct inquiries and gather evidence.
Initial investigation showed Ng was attacked from behind when he was about to enter the flat, police said.
According to sources, both men knew each other for many years and were on good terms. Ng, who is married and has been on the force for 21 years, had previously lived with his mother in the flat.
On that night, Ng did not interact with the assailant before the attack.
Authorities said the suspect, a clerical worker who had been living there for more than 10 years, might be suffering from mental health issues as he was seen talking to himself. But he has no known history of mental illness.
Police will look into his mental state as part of the investigation.
The suspect was not injured during the incident but was sent to the same hospital for examination.
Officers from the Kwai Tsing district crime squad were handling the case.
Additional reporting by Clifford Lo
