A protester in Hong Kong was shot below his left shoulder by a live round fired by riot police on Oct. 1, 2019.

This marked the first time in 17 weeks that something like this has happened since protests erupted in the city in June.

The 18-year-old secondary five schoolboy has since been sent to the hospital, and was reported to be in stable condition after a surgery was performed on him.

"Legal, legitimate and appropriate"

Chinese state media Xinhua has responded to the shooting, saying in a commentary published on Wednesday morning, Oct. 2, that the action taken by the police officer was "completely legal, reasonable and appropriate".

In addition, Xinhua reiterated the narrative that young protesters are being "brainwashed" by instigators operating behind the scenes.

These instigators are deemed as trying to ruin societal order by sacrificing the lives of others, so as to achieve their aim of "resisting Beijing and messing up Hong Kong".

The commentary also urged all level-headed Hong Kong residents to understand such ill intentions, and also advised youngsters to take a "clear view" of things and not be used by others.

Response echoes Hong Kong police's statement

Xinhua's response echoed that given by Hong Kong Police Commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung regarding the incident on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

According to Hong Kong Free Press, he said: "My colleague was under a close-range attack. He made a decision in a split-second because he felt his life and his colleague’s were being threatened."

"We believe [the action] was reasonable and legal."

What happened in Tsuen Wan?

Group of protesters beating up a police officer

Videos that captured the chaos from multiple angles show frontline protesters first beating a police officer who had fallen to the ground with what appears to be metal rods.

A police officer, who was also equipped with pepper spray and a shotgun loaded with rubber bullets, then rushed forward with his revolver drawn.

The protester, before he was shot, used a metal rod to hit the policeman's arm that held the gun.

Police officer fired live round at protester

Shortly after, the police officer fired his gun at the protester, who then fell to the ground.

Protesters then quickly dispersed after the shot rang out.

While another protester tried to help him up, a police officer jumped onto him and arrested him.

It was at this point that a protester standing a distance away threw a petrol bomb towards the police officers, setting fire to the ground.

At least two other police officers were then seen with their guns drawn and aiming them at the surrounding protesters to ward them off.

Revealed name to reporters

The protester who was shot could later be heard saying his chest hurts as blood gushed out from the wound.

He also revealed his name to the reporters present, identifying himself as Tsang Chi-kin.

This protocol was instituted for arrested protesters, in case they go missing for an extended period of time after getting arrested.

Sent to hospital

Tsang was later sent to Princess Margaret Hospital, but was then transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital as it was better equipped to deal with injuries to the lungs.

The bullet turned out to be stuck in Tsang's left lung, missing his heart by only 3cm, a medical source revealed to local media.

Students protest against the shooting

The day after the incident happened, some students chose to skip classes to protest the shooting, deeming it as an "inappropriate" move as no warning was given by the police, according to protocol.

They also questioned the necessity to fire a live round when non-lethal, alternative methods are available.

To indicate the spot where Tsang was shot, they placed their hands over their chests.

A lunchtime march took place as well on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Goqcwg-Z1/

Marchers held out five fingers to say all "five demands, not one less" have to be met.

Top image adapted via Stand News, City University Student Union's Editorial Board/FB Hong Kong Police/FB