Hong Kong protests: 'Two protesters shot' point blank range by police as tensions erupt

The officer fired three shots on Monday morning toward two black-clad protesters in a neighbourhood where traffic had been snarled by roadblocks, video footage from the scene shows. One of the protesters crumpled to the ground after being shot at point-blank range, and appeared conscious afterward. It is unclear what took place in the minutes before the footage of the confrontation emerged.

The footage was broadcast live on Facebook from the Sai Wan Ho neighbourhood by Cupid Producer, which describes itself as a production house based in Hong Kong.

The shooting on Monday comes as pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong blocked roads and scuffled with riot police officers across the city as part of what had been billed as a citywide general strike.

It has been alleged that Hong Kong police fired three live rounds at two protesters in Sai Wan Ho during city-wide strike action.

Protesters were blocking roads at an intersection outside Tai On Building in Sai Wan Ho.

At around 7.15am local time (11.15pm GMT), a police officer tried to give chase before he pulled out a service pistol and pointed it at them, according to footage captured by Cupid Producer.

He then grabbed a protester in white, and shot another black-clad protester in the stomach at close range.

Another protester in black then appeared to try and grab the officer’s gun, as he fired two more shots.

Bloodstains were seen on the ground as the two were subdued.

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The two protesters were taken away in an ambulance.

The protests intensified throughout the city over the weekend in response to the death of a student who was injured last week after a recent clash between police and protesters.

Activists vandalised shops and train stations, and threw Molotov cocktails at a police station, blocked roads, hurled objects at police, officials said in a statement.

Protesters across Hong Kong tried to disrupt the morning commute on Monday as part of a wider plan to mobilise a general strike.

Arrests were made in the Tuen Mun, Wong Tai Sin and Sha Tin areas of the city.

MTR services were disrupted on the Kwun Tong Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line, and the Ma On Shan Line.

Light rail services are also affected.

source: express.co.uk