The National Police Agency yesterday issued a statement to address an incident on Friday when an officer shot a teenager after firing on a vehicle allegedly attempting to evade police in Taoyuan.
While expressing regret over the incident that left a 16-year-old male surnamed Hsu (徐) in a coma, the agency said that the officer, surnamed Liu (劉), had not broken the law.
Liu had complied with the provisions of the Act Governing the Use of Police Weapons (警械使用條例), the statement said, alleging that Hsu and the driver, a male surnamed Tien (田), had not heeded orders to desist after twice ramming a police vehicle, putting officers’ lives in danger.
Agency officials promised to hold an inquiry, while the Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office said it would investigate whether Liu should bear legal responsibility for Hsu’s injuries.
According to a preliminary police report, Tien was driving a stolen car with Hsu in the front passenger seat, while a 16-year-old female, surnamed Hsieh (謝), was in the rear.
Police said the trio had been joyriding for three days.
The police report said Liu and two fellow police officers were patrolling Taoyuan’s Yangmei District (楊梅) when they came upon the car parked at a convenience store.
A computer check showed the vehicle had been reported stolen, it said.
When the officers approached the vehicle, Tien allegedly drove away, prompting a pursuit that lasted more than 40 minutes, during which he twice rammed a police car while ignoring repeated orders to stop and evading several blockades set up by supporting police units, the report said.
Tien stopped the car on a street corner, with police saying he admitted it was a trick to get police to stop so he could drive off when the officers were out of their cars.
The report said Liu walked toward the car, but Tien drove off.
Liu said he fired his handgun at a rear tire, but the bullet went through a window, striking Hsu in the head.
Hsu was rushed to hospital and as of yesterday was still in a coma.
Hsu’s mother said it was not necessary to shoot.
“Please give your blessing and support to my son. He is in a coma and we pray he will wake up soon,” she said. “When police chase after stolen cars, do they need to shoot?”
Many netizens expressed disdain for the trio, saying their alleged actions were dangerous, while police were doing their job investigating a stolen vehicle.
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