WELLINGTON, New Zealand: Four people were injured in New Zealand after a man armed with an axe attacked diners at random at three neighbouring Chinese restaurants as Zhangliang Malatang, Yues Dumpling Kitchen and Maya Hotpot, according to witnesses and police.
According to the police, the man started attacking the diners at about 9 p.m. Monday in the north Auckland suburb of Albany. The police arrested a 24-year-old suspect at the scene and charged him with wounding and intending to cause grievous bodily harm. Police were unable to immediately offer a motive for the attack.
Auckland City Hospital Tuesday said one patient from the attack remained there in a stable condition. North Shore Hospital said it had one victim with moderate injuries and a second with minor injuries, both of whom were in a stable condition, The third patient was earlier discharged.
A diner told the New Zealand Herald newspaper that he was taking dinner with a friend when the man walked in and started attacking his friend, leaving him seriously injured.
“I was in shock. When I realized what was happening, he tried to target me,” the man, who asked not to be named, told the Herald. “I blocked his axe with my hand. He was also trying to target my head, so I blocked the axe with my hand.”
The diner said the attacker chased them out of the restaurant and then turned around and walked into another restaurant.
The Herald posted an image of what appeared to be a wood-splitter style of axe, lying on the sidewalk.
According to Acting Detective Inspector Timothy Williams there was no other involvement in the incident, meaning they believe the man acted alone. Williams said police is likely to file more charges.
The suspect was due to make his first court appearance Tuesday (today).
The restaurants the man entered were Zhangliang Malatang, Yues Dumpling Kitchen and Maya Hotpot. They are among a cluster of restaurants on the street that aim to give diners low-cost options reminiscent of Chinese street food offerings.
