Hong Kong knife attacks spark warning over impact of violent, graphic news amid possible ‘copycat’ events
- Many people, especially youngsters on social media, might share violent or graphic content without fully considering implications, Timothy To of Post Crisis Counselling Network says
- He also warns ‘copycat attacks’ – where high-profile crime is followed by series of similar ones within short period – can be difficult to avoid but people should be aware of risks involved in sharing content
Hongkongers should think carefully about how they consume news that covers violent or graphic events, experts have cautioned, after knife attacks at shopping centres two days in a row.
Timothy To Wing-ching, executive director of the Post Crisis Counselling Network, also said “copycat attacks” – where a high-profile crime was followed by a series of similar ones within a short period – were complex and difficult to avoid, but urged people to be aware of risks involved in sharing content.
Videos of passers-by and shopping centre staff using trolleys and ladders to subdue a knifeman began going viral on social media on Wednesday night, shortly after the incident occurred at Sha Tin’s Shui Chuen O Plaza.
The attacker was seen wielding a 30cm-long (12 inch) kitchen knife and had allegedly wounded a Fairwood restaurant cashier.
Another man was arrested in Lam Tin on Thursday on suspicion of injuring two people with a knife at Kai Tin Shopping Centre.
Police said preliminary investigations showed the assailant did not know his victims.