A Hong Kong police officer shot a
pro-democracy protester early Monday as demonstrators blocked roads and
stopped traffic as part of a citywide general strike.
The officer fired three shots at two protesters, one of whom was
struck and fell to the ground, according to a graphic video of the event
posted to Facebook by Cupid Producer.
The shooting followed a short scuffle between the officer and a
protester at an intersection in the Sai Wan Ho neighborhood though the
cause of the altercation is unknown as is the condition of the man who
was shot.
Police have since cordoned off the area.
The shooting occurred as protesters across the embattled semiautonomous region attempted to instigate a general strike
by disrupting traffic through erecting barricades at major
thoroughfares. Train service was also impacted by protests with lines
suspended and stations closed due to "an escalation of the situation,"
MTR said on its website.
In a release, Hong Kong Police referred to the demonstrators as "radical protesters" and said officers were working to clear the roads.
"Police warn the protesters to stop their illegal acts immediately," the police force said in a press release.
Protesters had called for an escalation in demonstrations and for a general strike following Friday's death
of Chow Tsz-lok, a 22-year-old computer science student at Hong Kong
University, who succumbed to injuries he sustained days earlier after he
fell from a parking garage during protests on Nov. 4.
Police have denied responsibility for his death and said in a release that the incident was under investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of Kowloon East.
Hong Kong Police said it expresses its "profound sadness" over his
death and offered its "condolences to his family and friends."
The shooting followed a weekend of protests fueled by Chow's death
that saw police and demonstrators clash throughout the region that has
been home to often violent confrontations since early summer. Protests
initially began over a now-shelved extradition bill, but the movement
has since grown into a greater pro-democracy push.
Police said 88 people were arrested Sunday for offenses ranging from
unlawful assembly to possession of an offensive weapon and wearing face
masks.
"Police reiterate that no violent behavior will be tolerated," police said.
"Police will continue to take resolute enforcement action so as to
safeguard the city's public safety and bring all lawbreakers to
justice."
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