According to police and witnesses, four people were hospitalized in New Zealand after a man armed with an ax began indiscriminately attacking diners at three neighboring Chinese restaurants
From
NICK PERRY Associated Press
Jun 19, 2023 6:19pm ET
• 2 min reading
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Police and witnesses say four people have been hospitalized in New Zealand after a man armed with an ax began indiscriminately attacking diners at three neighboring Chinese restaurants.
Police said the man started the attack around 9pm on Monday in the north Auckland suburb of Albany. They said they arrested a 24-year-old suspect at the scene and charged him with assault and aggravated assault. The police initially did not give a motive for the attack.
Auckland City Hospital said on Tuesday that one patient from the attack was there in stable condition. North Shore Hospital said it had discharged one patient with moderate injuries and a second with minor injuries, both in stable condition, and discharged a third patient earlier.
A restaurant patron told the New Zealand Herald newspaper that he was having dinner with a friend when the man came in and started to attack his badly injured friend.
“I was shocked. When I realized what was going on, he tried to target me,” the man, who asked not to be named, told the Herald. “I blocked his ax with my hand. He also tried aiming for my head, so I blocked the ax with my hand.”
The guest said the man with the ax chased them out of the restaurant, then turned around and went to another restaurant.
The Herald published an image of what appeared to be a log-splitter ax lying on the sidewalk.
Acting Detective Inspector Timothy Williams said no one was wanted in the incident, meaning the man is believed to have acted alone. Williams said police expect to file more charges.
The suspect was due to appear in court for the first time on Tuesday.
The restaurants the man entered were Yue’s Dumpling Kitchen, Zhangliang Malatang, and Maya Hotpot. They’re part of a group of street restaurants that aim to provide diners with inexpensive options reminiscent of Chinese street food offerings.