20-6-2023 (AUCKLAND) A man wielding an axe entered three Chinese restaurants on Monday night (Jun 19) in New Zealand’s largest city Auckland, resulting in four individuals being sent to the hospital, according to authorities and local media reports.
As of Tuesday, one victim has been discharged, while three others remain in stable condition, confirmed spokespeople from North Shore and Auckland hospitals.
Local media sources revealed that the assailant entered three Chinese restaurants – Zhangliang Malatang, Yues Dumpling Kitchen, and Maya Hotpot – and initiated random attacks on people with an axe around 9 pm on Monday night (5 pm, Singapore time).
A witness, interviewed by the local news organization Radio New Zealand, stated that she was dining at Maya Hotpot with a friend when the assailant approached her friend with the axe.
According to her account, everyone inside the restaurant stood up in shock, and someone shouted, “What are you going to do? Why are you doing it?” before the attacker struck her friend again.
The New Zealand Police have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the incident, and he is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday to face a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Additional charges are anticipated, as stated by the police.
The motive behind the attack has not been disclosed by the authorities.
