“Police officers arrived at the scene and a suspected air gun was seized,” a Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) spokesperson told ABC. An Australian man is in custody in Hong Kong after being arrested on suspicion of carrying a pistol-like object and causing property damage, ABC reported.
Counterterrorism officers deployed to Yau Ma Tei and Jordan
Police received a report just after 10 p.m. on Wednesday that a 36-year-old tourist was carrying a “pistol-like object” in an alleyway near Shanghai Street in the Yau Ma Tei district, according to the HKPF. The South China Morning Post reported a passerby called police at 10:14 p.m. after spotting the man acting suspiciously at 213 Shanghai Street.
The HKPF deployed the Emergency Unit and counterterrorism officers to the scene. Officers wearing helmets and ballistic vests, including members of the Counter Terrorism Response Unit, rushed to the area. Social media images showed officers with guns standing guard at a stairwell.
About 15 minutes after the first alert, police received a second report that the man tried to enter a bar in the Jordan district, ABC reported. Sing Tao Daily stated the man entered a bar at 192 Temple Street while still holding the object. A staff member asked him to leave and called police. Officers found the man inside the bar, where he reportedly smelled of alcohol, according to a source familiar with the case cited by the South China Morning Post.
Did you know? Temple Street in the Yau Ma Tei district is recognized by Time Out as Hong Kong’s most famous night market.
Charges for imitation firearm and criminal damage
The HKPF confirmed the man has been charged with one count of possession of an imitation firearm and one count of criminal damage. While the HKPF spokesperson told ABC a “suspected air gun” was seized, ABC noted it could not independently verify local media reports that the object was a “toy gun.”
The second charge of criminal damage occurred while the man was in custody at Yau Ma Tei Police Station. Sing Tao reported the man became agitated and damaged a wall and a smoke detector. The Yau Tsim district crime investigation team is handling the case.
Prison penalties under Hong Kong law
The legal outcome depends on the classification of the weapon. Enshen Li, an associate professor at City University of Hong Kong, told ABC that possession of an imitation firearm under the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.
If the object is legally classified as a toy gun, Dr. Li said the charge could shift to negligently discharging an air gun in a way that endangered or annoyed others. That offense carries a maximum penalty of three months in prison or a $HK500 ($90) fine. Criminal damage is punishable by up to 10 years under the Crimes Ordinance.
Legal Context: Hong Kong authorities have tightened security measures in recent years following large-scale anti-extradition protests in 2019.
DFAT provides consular assistance as tourist appears in court
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) told ABC it is providing consular assistance to the man’s family. The case was scheduled to be mentioned at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today.
Questions regarding the Australian tourist’s arrest
No one was hurt during the police operation, according to the South China Morning Post.
The Yau Tsim district crime investigation team is handling the case.
The man allegedly damaged a wall and a smoke detector while held at Yau Ma Tei Police Station, according to Sing Tao.
“The judge will consider all relevant mitigating and aggravating factors when deciding the sentence,” Dr. Li said.
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