Widow Seeks Inquest Two Years After Police Shoot Mentally Ill Husband
SCMP · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Mrs. Li is still seeking answers two years after Hong Kong police shot and killed her 38-year-old husband who suffered from mental illness at their North Point home. She wants a death inquest held as soon as possible to bring closure to her husband's unexplained death. Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee had defended the officer's decision to shoot, saying it followed firearms use guidelines.
Key Points
- On September 15, 2024, Mrs. Li called police after her husband attacked his elderly mother and her at their North Point home
- Officers arrived with shields and found the man holding a 30cm knife and a pair of scissors
- Police shot the man at 1.5 metres after a 30-second standoff where he allegedly ignored repeated warnings and attempted to attack officers
- Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee defended the shooting, saying officers followed firearms use guidelines and recommended a death inquest
- Mrs. Li received a February 2025 letter from a coroner confirming cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest
- In April 2025, the Coroner's Court said police must first submit a complete death investigation report before any inquest decision
Why It Matters
The case raises questions about police procedures when dealing with mentally ill individuals in domestic situations. Mrs. Li's two-year wait for answers highlights concerns about transparency in police shooting investigations and the emotional toll on families left without closure.