The police officer that fired his weapon at close range into the chest of an 18-year-old student protester claims he did so because he feared for his life, according to AFP.

Tsang Chi-kin (Tsang Tsz Kin), 18, was shot after the police unit was attacked by protesters armed with poles and umbrellas.

Officer feared for his life

Police claimed that the officer in question feared for his life, as his colleagues had to fire five warning shots from their pistols throughout Hong Kong that day.

"In this very short span of time, he made a decision and shot the assailant," said police chief Stephen Lo.

A police source told South China Morning Post that the protester hit the officer's gun-holding arm with a metal rod, despite being given a verbal warning.

The source also added the shooting happened when the group of officers were outnumbered by protesters.

Police training guidelines authorised police officers to open fire in a life-and-death situation, and police officers were required to aim at the "centre mass of a body and not the limbs", as arms and legs were more difficult targets.

This was to help ensure that they hit the intended target and not "misfire at others".

In response to media queries, Lo said that the officer's use of a gun to stop the attacker was "reasonable and legal."

Tsang, who was filmed trying to strike the officer with a pole as he was shot, was taken to Princess Margaret hospital in a critical condition.

Protester was holding a weapon when he was shot

SCMP reported that as of 1:58 am on Oct. 2, the student was said to be in a stable condition after undergoing a chest operation to have the bullet removed after transferring to Queen Elizabeth hospital.

Video footage from The New York Times showed a group of protesters chasing a police officer carrying a shield, and pinning him to the ground.

The protesters quickly began surrounding and beating the police officer on the ground.

Reinforcements for the police officer soon arrived, and riot policemen in gas masks rushed forward with their guns pointed at the protesters.

Tsang, who was wielding what appeared to be a metal rod, swung his weapon at a police officer with his gun drawn, and was subsequently shot in the chest.

He was seen lying face up on the ground as blood spilled from the left side of his chest, according to Wall Street Journal.

He then shouted his name, and asked to be sent to the hospital.

"My chest hurts so much," he said.

Top image from Campus TV, HKUSU.