Four family members shot in Hong Kong

Four elderly siblings have been shot, one fatally, by a relative in a rare instance of gun violence in Hong Kong that was apparently sparked by a family dispute.

The two men and two women were shot in the head and arm and all were sent to a hospital, where one, an 80-year-old woman, later died, officials said.

A 44-year-old woman in possession of a gun was apprehended in a shopping mall near the site of the attack, Chief Inspector Hui Hong-kit said.

“We believe the motive behind the attack was family conflict,” he said, adding that police would also investigate how the suspect obtained the weapon.

Firearms are tightly controlled in Hong Kong and such shootings are highly unusual, usually restricted to armed robbers and members of organised crime gangs known as triads.

The Asian financial hub is considered generally safe, although thieves this year have twice attacked jewellery shops using hammers.