An 18-year-old appeared at the Fanling Magistrates’ Court this morning to face charges over an incident on Friday night in which he allegedly fired a semiautomatic pistol at police, who later reportedly found an assault rifle and hundreds of rounds in his apartment.
According to Stand News, defendant So Wai Heen was charged with shooting with intent to murder, conspiring to commit murder, wounding with intent, and possession of an illegal firearm after the incident in Tai Po, where he was intercepted by police.
Though So allegedly fired a shot during the confrontation, it didn’t hit anyone, and a suspected associate of his managed to escape. Police reportedly found a handgun with a magazine containing 14 bullets on So’s person and another 30 rounds at his home, where they also found an AR-15-style rifle with over 200 rounds.
His case was adjourned until June 8 next year, pending police inspection of the firearms involved.
Police maintain that So was involved with five other criminal suspects — Wong Chun-Keung, Ng Chi-Hong, Cheung Zhun-Fu, Cheung Ming-Yue, and Tim Min-Heen — who were similarly arrested, also allegedly with a semiautomatic handgun, ahead of a major rally on Hong Kong Island on Dec. 8.
Police maintain that the guns were going to be used against people, including police, at public gatherings, and that a telephone conversation between So and the five other defendants revealed So to be the acting “gunman,” resulting in the investigation that led authorities to Tai Po.
The five had previously been charged with conspiracy to injure and possession of firearms. The prosecution has since applied to have So’s conspiracy charge merged with the other five defendants’ case, a motion which was approved by the court. The trial is scheduled for Feb. 18.
