HONG KONG: An investigation is under way after a customs officer was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head at an airport cargo terminal yesterday.
Detectives from the airport police station were looking into whether the 52-year-old shot himself with his service gun, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.
A gunshot was heard at the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal on Chun Wan Road North shortly before 1pm. The officer was on duty at the time and was not acting abnormally, the source added.
A colleague who heard the shot found the victim, surnamed Chan, lying unconscious on the floor of the male changing room.
“Initial investigations showed the officer was found with a gunshot wound to his left temple,” the source said. “He was certified dead at the scene.”
It was understood that the changing room in question is used by customs officers, and a passcode was required for entry.
The source said Chan was in uniform, and his gun was found on the ground. No note was found at the scene. There were no suspicious circumstances.
“So far, there is no indication that [the victim] had financial problems, or love or work-related problems,” the source added.
According to the source, Chan was single. He joined the Customs and Excise Department in 1997 and recently received a long service award. He was attached to the department’s airport cargo examination unit.
The department said the Commissioner of Customs and Excise expressed deep regret over Chan’s death.
“Police are now carrying out investigation and the Customs and Excise Department will provide full co-operation,” the department said, adding it would offer assistance to the officer’s family members.
There are more than 6,000 customs officers across the city. It is understood that uniformed officers tasked with providing security at immigration control points are required to carry guns, and hundreds of plainclothes officers from the anti-narcotics section, syndicate crimes investigation bureau, illicit cigarette investigation division and intelligence bureau are issued with firearms.
This is the third such case in a month involving an on-duty officer from the disciplined services.
On February 6, a police constable, 24, died after shooting himself with his service revolver in a public toilet in Chai Wan. On February 20, a senior police constable, 52, survived after he apparently shot himself in the chest in Ngau Tau Kok police station.
A similar case involving a customs officer took place more than 10 years ago.
Chung Cheen-yeung, 53, a senior customs inspector, died of a gunshot wound to the head. He was found dead in his office on July 26, 2005. Chang was attached to the Revenue and General Investigation Bureau and was responsible for illicit cigarettes.
