WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A man with an ax attacked random diners at three neighboring Chinese restaurants in New Zealand, wounding four people, according to police and witnesses. The incident took place at approximately 9 p.m. on Monday in the north Auckland suburb of Albany.
The police swiftly arrested a 24-year-old suspect at the scene and charged him with wounding, with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm. The suspect, identified as a Chinese national, made a brief court appearance on Tuesday. The police have not yet provided a motive for the attack but have stated that there is no evidence to suggest it was racially motivated.
As of Tuesday, Auckland City Hospital reported that one patient from the attack remained in stable condition. North Shore Hospital had one patient with moderate injuries and another with minor injuries, both of whom were also in stable condition. A third patient had been discharged earlier.
A witness who was dining with a friend at one of the restaurants described the shocking incident. He recounted how the attacker entered the establishment and began targeting his friend, who sustained serious injuries. The witness managed to block the attacker’s axe with his hand, preventing further harm.
The attacker then chased the witness and his friend out of the restaurant before proceeding to enter another nearby restaurant. The New Zealand Herald newspaper published an image of what appeared to be the axe used in the attack, which resembled a wood-splitter style.
Surveillance footage posted by the news website Stuff showed people fleeing from one of the restaurants, with one person using a chair as a barricade and another person holding a weapon.
The police believe that the suspect acted alone and anticipate filing additional charges against him. In response to the incident, the police have increased their presence in the area surrounding the affected restaurants.
Inspector Stefan Sagar expressed sympathy for those involved in the incident and the wider community, assuring that support is being provided to the victims and their friends and family.
During the suspect’s court appearance, a Chinese language interpreter assisted him. The suspect was not required to enter a plea and was granted temporary name suppression, a common outcome in New Zealand’s legal system.
The three restaurants targeted by the attacker were Yues Dumpling Kitchen, Zhangliang Malatang, and Maya Hotpot. These establishments are part of a cluster of restaurants on the street that offer affordable options reminiscent of Chinese street food.
The investigation into the motive behind the attack is ongoing, and authorities are working to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected individuals and the community at large.
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I’m sorry, but I couldn’t find any information directly related to the specific incident mentioned in your query. It’s possible that the incident hasn’t gained significant attention in the news or that it happened recently and hasn’t been widely reported yet. I would recommend checking local news sources or contacting the New Zealand police for more information about the incident.
