‘I just need an answer’: widow haunted by husband’s shooting seeks inquest

Two years have passed since Mrs Li's husband, a man with a history of mental illness, was fatally shot by a Hong Kong police officer. She had called the police on September 15, 2024, when her husband attacked his elderly mother and himself at their North Point home. The officer shot the 38-year-old male at a distance of 1.5 meters after he disregarded repeated warnings during a 30-second stand-off and tried to attack the officers.

Mrs Li, who prefers to be identified by her husband's surname, is now seeking a death inquest to bring closure to her and her late husband. She has been anxiously awaiting an answer for two years, with no news from the authorities. The then commissioner of police defended the officer's decision, stating it followed the guidelines on firearms use.

However, Mrs Li has not received any updates since February of last year, when she received a letter confirming the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the chest. She has been struggling with anxiety and health issues, including weight loss, memory loss, and difficulty sleeping. She questions why a fatal shot was discharged instead of non-lethal options and fears that her husband's case will be left unsettled.

The Coroner's Court is conducting an investigation, but it has not been updated since the interim report was submitted in June 2025.