In a significant development, a man has been taken into custody by the police for allegedly starting a fire at a karaoke parlour in Tsim Sha Tsui back in 1997. This tragic incident resulted in the loss of 17 lives.
Authorities were notified by their counterparts in mainland China that the suspect had been captured. The 52-year-old man was returned to Hong Kong on Thursday through the Shenzhen Bay border. Superintendent Lam Kai-chor of the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau stated that the man’s identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis.
It has been confirmed that the suspect will face charges, as the police claim to have substantial evidence pointing towards his involvement in the crime. The suspect, with his face covered, was taken back to the site of the incident to recreate the events of that fateful day. He was handed a plastic bottle resembling a Molotov cocktail, which was believed to have been used in the arson attack.
The tragic incident took place at the Top One Karaoke establishment on January 25, 1997, following a dispute between two rival groups. The use of Molotov cocktails resulted in the deaths of 17 individuals due to smoke inhalation.
While five other individuals involved in the crime have already been apprehended, four of them have been sentenced to life imprisonment, and one received an 11-year prison term for manslaughter. However, one suspect by the name of Chan Fok-ching is still evading capture. The police have offered a reward of HK$400,000 for any information leading to the arrest of this fugitive.
It is imperative to note that justice is being served, albeit after a long period of time. The families of the victims can find solace in the fact that those responsible for this heinous act are being held accountable. The law enforcement agencies are determined to ensure that all those involved in the crime are brought to justice, even if it takes several years to achieve this goal.
The reopening of cold cases such as this serves as a reminder that the long arm of the law eventually catches up with criminals, no matter how much time has passed. It sends a strong message that committing such acts of violence will not go unpunished, and that the perpetrators will be pursued until they are held accountable for their actions.
