Police are investigating a Police open fire case in Castle Peak last night (January 15).
 
     About 7.10pm, Police received a report from a staff member of a shop on Tuen Shun Street that a man fled away after stealing a knife from the shop. Subsequently, Police have also received multiple reports that a man holding a knife was found wandering in the vicinity of Tuen Wui Street. Police officers sped to the scene and located the man, who was holding a 12-inch long knife, outside the entrance of a shopping mall on Tuen Shun Street.
 
     Despite multiple verbal warnings given by the officers, the man refused to cooperate and an officer discharged one burst of pepper spray. The man then fled into the mall and exited from another entrance shortly afterwards. He then held a female passerby hostage and attempted to assault her with the knife. Officers gave further verbal warnings to the man but in vain. To ensure the safety of the hostage, two police officers each fired a shot at the man.
 
     Sustaining shot wounds to his shoulder and chest, the 34-year-old man was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 8.47pm; the 51-year-old woman, who was held hostage, was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital in conscious state.
 
     Some suspected dangerous drug and an extendable baton were seized from the man and the bag he carried.

     Investigations by the Regional Crime Unit of New Territories North are under way. Anyone who has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3363.