Man who attacked Chinese restaurants with axe in New Zealand acquitted on insanity grounds
By Carl Samson
November 30, 2023
A man who went on an axe-wielding rampage at three Chinese restaurants in Auckland, New Zealand, has reportedly been acquitted on the grounds of insanity.
Catch up: The man, a 25-year-old Chinese national, began attacking the neighboring restaurants — Maya Hotpot, Yues Dumpling Kitchen and Zhangliang Malatang — on Corinthian Drive in Albany at around 9 p.m. on June 19. A total of six individuals were wounded in the incident, up from initial reports of four.
Guangqing Yin, who owns the nearby 2AM restaurant, told Stuff in July that the man “only got close to the entrance and attacked the people sitting on tables close to the door.” The victims sustained injuries from bruises and cuts to brain damage that triggered seizures, as per the NZ Herald.
Arrest and charges: The attacker was arrested at the scene. He was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assault with a weapon.
Acquittal: On Wednesday, Judge Stephen Bonnar KC of the Auckland District Court acquitted the attacker on all his charges on insanity grounds, Radio NZ reported. Bonnar cited a psychiatric report that described him as having “a lengthy history of mental illness,” which included diagnoses of schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The man reportedly experienced hallucinations at the time of the attacks and was incapable of knowing that his actions were wrong. He reportedly believed that “someone” was touching, punching and trying to kill him with a knife.
While the attacker was acquitted, he will reportedly remain in custody until a bed becomes available at the Mason Clinic, a secure forensic psychiatric facility.
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