Global Courant
WELLINGTON – A Chinese national was charged Tuesday after allegedly assaulting diners with an axe-like weapon at three restaurants in New Zealand’s largest city, injuring four.
The man has been charged after incidents at three Chinese restaurants in Auckland that left four people hospitalized, police said.
Authorities responded around 9 p.m. local time (5 p.m. Singapore time) on Monday, after receiving “several calls” from the area that customers had been assaulted at the restaurants, police added.
Local media said the man entered the eateries, which are all close together, and beat diners with a weapon that resembled an axe.
Videos posted to social media showed the floor of a restaurant covered in blood as police arrested a man.
A 24-year-old man was arrested at the scene before appearing in North Shore District Court on Tuesday, where he was granted provisional attribution.
He was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but police said more charges were likely.
Inspector Stefan Sagar, the Waitemata East Area Commander, acknowledged “how frightening this was for those involved”.
He said police believe it was an isolated incident, adding that there is no evidence “that this is a racially motivated attack”.
