Police Search For Motive For Yau Ma Tei Attack

Police are trying to find the motive behind Saturday's knife attack on the manager of a supermarket in Yau Ma Tei, in which the 54-year-old assailant was shot dead by a police officer at the scene.

Police say at about 12.30 pm, police officers patrolling the junction of Reclamation Street and Saigon Street saw a man armed with a knife running towards Pak Hoi Street.

They gave chase and the man ran into a shop at the junction of Reclamation Street and Pak Hoi Street, and attacked a 50-year-old male staff member with the knife.

Police say, after giving a verbal warning, an officer fired a single shot at the knifeman as he attempted attempted to stab the staff member again.

Superintendent Tsang Chung-bun said the assailant had been seen arguing with shop staff a few minutes before the attack.

The man later died at Kwong Wah Hospital after being sent there for treatment.

The supermarket manager suffered wounds to the back of his head, and was also taken to Kwong Wah Hospital.

Tsang said they are looking into the pair’s backgrounds.

The police will also investigate whether the officer’s decision to fire his gun was justified.