Customers walk through the Plaza Hollywood shopping mall in Hong Kong in this May 2, 2003 photo. - AFP
HONG KONG (China Daily/Asia News Network): A man caught on a viral video brutally stabbing two women to death at a shopping mall in Diamond Hill was charged with murder at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts before being remanded in custody on Monday (June 6).
Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong adjourned the case to June 19 while the prosecution seeks to obtain two psychiatric reports on the 39-year-old accused to help determine if he is fit to stand trial. He will be remanded at Siu Lam Psychiatric Center until the next hearing.
The man, who reportedly has a history of mental illness, was charged with two counts of murder. He allegedly attacked two women, aged 22 and 26, in front of a cosmetics shop at Plaza Hollywood on Friday afternoon as the victims were on their way to a family gathering.
One of the women was stabbed in the chest while the other was stabbed in the neck. They were taken to United Christian Hospital, where they were certified dead.
The assailant was arrested by the police at the scene. It’s believed the attacker didn’t know the victims.
A video showing the attack went viral. The case drew public concerns about insufficient support being given to people who’re mentally ill, with calls for precautions to be taken to prevent similar incidents.
The mother of one of the deceased said she has been under great pressure, and appealed to the public to stop circulating the video so that her daughter can rest in peace.
Many residents turned up the shopping mall over the weekend to offer flowers in memory of the victims.
