Police have arrested 54 people involved in last night's Mong Kok riot.
Speaking at a press conference today, Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo strongly condemned the rioters' unlawful behavior.
He said several hundred people damaged government property and police vehicles, set fires and attacked police officers and journalists on Nathan Road, Shandong Street, Argyle Street and Nelson Street.
He said some rioters set fires at multiple locations and to a taxi, causing great danger to residents and seriously disturbing public peace and safety. They also obstructed roads and prised bricks from the footpath to use as weapons.
Mr Lo said Police were left with no choice but to use batons and pepper spray, and officers used minimum force. However, repeated attacks from rioters throwing hard objects injured many officers.
He said the officer who opened fire during the incident was protecting another officer from harm and had followed Police guidelines on the use of force.
He said Police do not rule out the possibility the riot was organised, saying supplies were being transported to the scene for rioters to use.
Forty-seven men and seven women aged 15 to 70 were arrested for unlawful assembly, assaulting or obstructing police officers, possessing weapons and disorder. Mr Lo said further arrests are possible as the investigation continues.
