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An ax attack on three neighboring Chinese restaurants in New Zealand on Monday left four people injured when police arrested a suspect in what they say is not a racially motivated crime.
“We recognize how frightening this incident was for those involved and for the wider community, and we are ensuring that there is support for the victims as well as their friends and family,” Detective Inspector Stefan Sagar said in a statement.
The 24-year-old suspect, a Chinese national, began his attack at 9pm Monday in a suburb of Auckland, attacking the three restaurants before police could arrest him. Officers charged him with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and said they expect to bring more charges against him.
The attacks took place at the restaurants Zhangliang Malatang, Yues Dumpling Kitchen and Maya Hotpot. Three of the four victims remain in hospital, but in stable conditions, with moderate and minor injuries.
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Police cordon off a restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, following an ax attack late Monday. Several people have been hospitalized after a man armed with an ax began randomly attacking diners at three neighboring Chinese restaurants, police and witnesses said. (Hayden Woodward/New Zealand Herald via AP)
The fourth victim has already been discharged.
A chef at one of the restaurants told Radio New Zealand that the aftermath was “like a war zone”.
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Police cordon off a restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, following an ax attack late Monday. Several people have been hospitalized after a man armed with an ax began randomly attacking diners at three neighboring Chinese restaurants, police and witnesses said. (Hayden Woodward/New Zealand Herald via AP)
“I saw a young man in his 20s with blood on his head,” said the unnamed chef. “They stood still for a moment and then fell to the ground.”
A witness told The Associated Press that the suspect chased people out of one restaurant, then turned around and went to another. Video posted to news website Stuff showed customers using a chair and an unidentified weapon to hold off the suspect as others fled the restaurant.
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Police cordon off a restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, following an ax attack late Monday. (Hayden Woodward/New Zealand Herald via AP)
Police clarified that the man appeared to be acting alone and they see no evidence of a racial motivation for the attacks, but they offered no further motive for the attack. He seemed to randomly attack customers in the restaurants.
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During his short hearing on Tuesday, the defendant was assisted by a language interpreter and did not make a plea. He was given a temporary suppression of the name.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Peter Aitken is a Fox News Digital reporter with a focus on national and global news.
