Hong Kong protests: Shootings, Molotov cocktails mark dramatic escalation in clashes

A Hong Kong cop was caught on camera as he shot an anti-government protester at point-blank range Monday — as a man was also set on fire during one of the most violent days since the protests started in June.

Protesters also threw Molotov cocktails at police on university campuses after a weekend of clashes across the territory, marking a dramatic escalation in more than five months of pro-democracy unrest.

The officer, one of a group shooing away protesters at an intersection, drew his gun as a small group of men in masks marched defiantly toward him.

As the camera rolled, he wrestled with one — then shot another in the torso as he continued marching toward him during the struggle.

At least two more gunshots were heard and another protester fell to the ground as other officers rushed in to help.

Officials claim only one of the men was actually hit saying he was in critical condition in a local hospital.

“During police operations, one police officer has discharged his service revolver, one male was shot,” the Hong Kong government said in a statement.

The release denied what it called online rumors saying police had been ordered to “recklessly use their firearms,” calling the allegation “totally false and malicious”

“All police officers are required to justify their enforcement actions,” the statement said.

However, Amnesty International Hong Kong said it showed “clear evidence of reckless use of force.”

“These are not policing measures – these are officers out of control with a mindset of retaliation,” the human rights group said in a statement.

Other video circulating online also showed a man dousing gasoline on another during an argument and setting him on fire outside Ma On Shan Plaza in the New Territories.

Engulfed in flames, the man was able to rip off his shirt and extinguish the blaze. Police said the man was in critical condition, while offering few other details.

Hong Kong’s government urged protesters to remain “calm and rational.”

Chief Executive Carrie Lam, whose move to introduce legislation allowing extraditions to the mainland initially sparked the protests, called it “wishful thinking” that violence would prompt her to make any concessions such as launching an independent inquiry into police violence or granting citizens the ability choose their own leaders.

“I’m making this statement clear and loud here — that will not happen,” she said in an address, flanked by members of her cabinet. “Violence is not going to give us any solution to the problems that Hong Kong is facing. Our joint priority now as a city is to end the violence and to return Hong Kong to normal as soon as possible.”

However, many now fear the renewed violence — especially scenes caught on video — will only escalate clashes.

“It will become more chaotic and more violent — that seems to be inevitable,” said Fernando Cheung, a pro-democracy lawmaker who has mediated between police and protesters during the city’s unrest.

With Post wires

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