LIFE ON THE LINE
Student Hong Kong protester, 18, ‘fighting for life’ after being shot by live police round that missed his heart by just a INCH
A STUDENT protester has been left fighting for his life after he was shot by a live police round that missed his heart by an inch.
The 18-year-old was left howling in pain, in the streets of Tsuen Wan, at around 4.30pm local time on Tuesday.
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A chilling video, taken by the City University Student Union, showed a dozen black-clad protesters hurling objects at a group of riot police and closing in on the lone armed officer.
The 18-year-old came at the armed officer, and struck him with a baton.
Within a second, the officer points his revolver and opened fire on the student protester, who collapsed on the street bleeding from below his left shoulder.
As another protester rushed in to drag away the injured protester and was tackled by an officer, a gasoline bomb landed in the middle of the group of officers in an explosion of flames.
Reports say the bullet had punctured one of his lungs before it struck his chest, missing his heart by just an inch.
The "form five student", has been taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei, where he remains, a source told the .
He fired a round at the assailant to save his own life and his colleagues' lives
Senior Supt Yolanda Yu Hoi-kwan
Crowds fell silent in the Admiralty area of government offices, the Asian financial hub, as details of the shooting emerged.
This is the first time a protester is known to have been shot.
Police said their officers were attacked and the policeman who opened fire did because he "felt his life was under serious threat".
Senior Supt Yolanda Yu Hoi-kwan told the newspaper: "He fired a round at the assailant to save his own life and his colleagues' lives.
"The police force really did not want to see anyone being injured, so we feel very sad about this."
In a statement made hours after the shooting, the Hong Kong Police Force tweeted: "The Police urgently appeal to every member of the public to stay in safe places, avoid going outdoors and stay tuned to the latest situation.
"The Police urgently appeal to every member of the public to stay in safe places, avoid going outdoors and stay tuned to the latest situation.
"Currently, there are rioting acts across Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and the New Territories.
"Rioters have started fires and committed mass property damage, injuring many people.
"Rioters have used corrosive fluid in Tuen Mun area, injuring multiple Police officers and reporters. The Police strongly condemn the violent acts and appeal to members of the public to mind their personal safety."
'END DICTATORIAL RULE'
The shooting marked a dramatic escalation in violence in a city already on edge which saw fierce clashes between pro-democracy protesters and police spreading to multiple areas.
Police had banned rallies in Hong Kong, in a bid to avoid embarrassing Chinese President Xi Jingping on China's National Day.
October 1 is China's most important date in the calendar this year, as it marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist Party-ruled China.
But tens of thousands of black-clad protesters marched in Hong Kong in multiple pro-democracy rallies, urging China's Communist Party to "return power to the people".
The smell of stinging tear gas and smoke from street fires started by protesters engulfed the Wan Chai, Wong Tai Sin, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui areas.
Activists continued to carry banners saying, "End dictatorial rule, return power to the people."
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Organisers said at least 100,000 people marched along a broad city thoroughfare in defiance of a police ban, chanting anti-China slogans and some carrying Chinese flags defaced with a black cross.
Many demonstrators tossed wads of fake "hell" bank notes usually used at funerals into the air. "The leaders who won't listen to our voice, this is for them," said marcher Ray Luk.
Police have reportedly used five live rounds against campaigners.
In the morning as the city's government marked the anniversary with a solemn ceremony, police used pepper spray to break up a brief scuffle between Beijing supporters and a small group of pro-democracy protesters.
Hong Kong Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung told hundreds of guests at a reception that the city has become "unrecognisable" due to the violence.
CHINA'S NATIONAL DAY
China marked its National Day on Tuesday with a massive parade through the center of Beijing featuring missiles, tanks and thousands of marching troops.
Tributes to the country's Communist Party leaders were also held the striking economic and social developments achieved since the People's Republic was founded 70 years ago.
Leading the festivities was party leader and President Xi Jinping, who reviewed the troops both from through a standing position in his limousine and the viewing platform above iconic Tiananmen Gate.
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Protests have gripped Hong Kong since June, sparked by highly controversial legislation to extradite those convicted of crimes to mainland China and Taiwan.
Clashes in the months since have seen police fire rubber bullets, tear gas, and pepper spray at protesters in repeated bids to break up peaceful demonstrations.
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Hong Kong protesters form human chain ahead of Chinese anniversary
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