The officer pointing his gun at protesters and firing his gun into the air. Photo: Apple Daily/Oriental Daily
Following a two-day investigation, Hong Kong police have concluded that the officer whofired warning shots into the air during a violent protest earlier this week was not in violation of the Police General Orders.
The protest, which has been dubbed the Fishball Revolution, escalated during the early hours on Tuesday and saw an officer fire two bullets into the air in Mong Kok, one of the most densely populated places on Earth.
Police Commissioner Stephen Lo said in a press conference on Tuesday that the shots were a precaution to fend angry protesters off from a fallen colleague, but the police force would investigate whether the officer's actions were in violation of any firearms regulations.
Yesterday evening, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong Police said the officer in question did not have any alternatives other than firing his gun to ensure the safety of himself and his fellow officers, and said it was a "reasonable and appropriate" course of action, according to Apple Daily.
Former Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) member Edwin Cheng said earlier this week that the shots were warranted, and that the officer "had no choice" but to fire both shots, as protesters allegedly continued to attack his colleague after the first warning.
Likewise, police officers throwing bricks at protesters during the riots were defended by Junior Police Union Chairman Joe Chan, who said it was purely an act of self-preservation in the face of unprecendented violence.
However, current IPCC member Helena Wong said firing shots into the sky was dangerous and could have threatened the lives of people passing by or in neighbouring buildings, echoing a similar sentiment expressed by Joshua Wong of Scholarism and local media.
Wong also urged the IPCC to launch a full investigation into the incident, citing officers who retaliated by throwing bricks, who she said nearly visibly lost control of themselves.
http://hongkong.coconuts.co/2016/02/12/officer-who-fired-shots-mong-kok-didnt-violate-police-general-orders
