An off-duty police officer shot himself in an apparent suicide at Cheung Chau Police Station Tuesday.
Authorities said that the 57-year-old police officer was found injured at 4:38pm. He had a gunshot wound on his head, with a service pistol by his side and a suicide note at the scene. He was subsequently certified dead.
The officer sent a WhatsApp group message to his teammates around 4:30pm, according to South China Morning Post, telling them that he was in an interview room inside the police station.
The message contained a note of farewell and gratitude to his colleagues. He also asked them to inform his wife and friends, according to SCMP.
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SCMP reported that his suicide note revealed he was dealing with financial difficulties.
This is not the first case in recent months of a police officer committing suicide. In July, a police officer jumped off a building after he was arrested for allegedly taking upskirt photos of a woman on an escalator.
If you are experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts, please call the Samaritans’ 24-hour hotline at 2896 0000 for help.
