DFA: No Filipinos hurt in Hong Kong shooting

MANILA, Philippines — No Filipinos were affected in a rare instance of gun violence in Hong Kong on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has checked with the police to assure that no Filipinos were hurt in the incident.

The incident at the Quarry Bay Park near the City Plaza Shopping Center was apparently sparked by a family dispute, leaving four elderly siblings wounded, according to the police.

An 80-year-old woman later died after being brought to a hospital.

A 44-year-old woman in possession of a gun was arrested in a shopping mall near the site of the attack.

"We believe the motive behind the attack was family conflict," Chief Inspector Hui Hong-kit said, adding that police would also investigate how the suspect obtained the weapon.

Firearms are tightly controlled in Hong Kong and such shootings are highly unusual, usually restricted to armed robbers and members of organized crime groups known as triads.

The Asian financial hub is considered generally safe, although thieves this year have twice attacked jewelry stores using hammers.

According to police statistics, 10 murders were recorded between January and April this year, up by two from the same period last year. It wasn't clear whether firearms were used in any of those killings. — Patricia Lourdes Viray with Associated Press