Thursday 03 October 2019 7:55 am

Hong Kong: Police charge teenage protester shot by officer

HONG KONG, CHINA – October 2: A pro-democracy protester hold a placard during a rally in Tuen Wan district on October 2, 2019 in Hong Kong, China. On October 1, pro-democracy protesters marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong with mass demonstrations across Hong Kong. The day was marred by the first injuries caused from police use of live ammunition with one student protester shot in the chest in the Tsuen Wan district. The city remains on edge with the anti-government movement entering its fourth month. Protesters in Hong Kong continue to call for Chief Executive Carrie Lam to meet their remaining demands since the controversial extradition bill was withdrawn, which includes an independent inquiry into police brutality, the retraction of the word ìriotî to describe the rallies, and genuine universal suffrage, as the territory faces a leadership crisis. (Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)

A teenager shot with a live police round in Hong Kong protests has been charged with rioting and assaulting an officer.

Tsang Chi-kin took a bullet in his left shoulder during a fight with riot police officers in the Tsuen Wan district of Hong Kong yesterday and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Police said an officer had shot the 18-year-old at point-blank range because he feared for his life.

Video footage from the incident shows protesters armed with metal bars and umbrellas skirmishing with officers, who are outnumbered.

Another officer then appears to enter the brawl to support the police, holding a handgun.

One student swings a pole before a gunshot is heard.

The short came as already violent protests intensified in the days after China;s National Day, the 70th anniversary celebrations of Communist rule.

Hong Kong police had banned rallies but around 100,000 people took part in demonstrations across the city.

Police have fired warning shots above crowds before but yesterday’s shooting was the first such incident in five months of protests.

Hong Kong protesters walk down a city street in a pro-democracy demonstration — HONG KONG, CHINA – OCTOBER 02: Pro-democracy protesters walk the streets looking for triad linked businesses on October 02, 2019 in Hong Kong, China. On October 1, 2019 pro-democracy protesters marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong through mass demonstrations across Hong Kong. The day was marred by the first injuries caused from police use of live ammunition with one student protester shot in the chest in the Tsuen Wan district. The city remains on edge with the anti-government movement entering its fourth month. Protesters in Hong Kong continue its call for Chief Executive Carrie Lam to meet their remaining demands since the controversial extradition bill has been withdrawn, which includes an independent inquiry into police brutality, the retraction of the word “riot” to describe the rallies, and genuine universal suffrage, as the territory faces a leadership crisis. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Initially citizens took to the streets to protest against a China extradition bill that they interpreted as a threat to Hong Kong’s rule of law.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam withdrew the bill and later suspended it.

But since then protests have grown more violent. Demonstrators have thrown petrol bombs at police, who have shot activists with rubber bullets and tear gas.

Officers have also deployed water cannon against protesters.

Tsang’s shooting sparked student protests outside of his school as Sky News reported protesters saying the shooting has opened a new stage of intensity in the demonstrations.

More than 100 people were injured during Tuesday’s protests, and 269 people arrested, according to reports.

Demonstrators wore black to express a “day of grief” for Hong Kong.