David Kang
Encyclopedia
David Kang is an Australian barrister. In 1994, while a student at Macquarie University
, he fired a starting pistol
at the Prince of Wales
during an Australia Day
speech at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, Sydney
, New South Wales
, Australia
, on 26 January 1994. His father is Robert Kang, a former Republic of Korea Air Force
helicopter
pilot.
Kang jumped a small fence at the front of the stage and ran onto the stage, firing the first shot with his pistol as he rushed towards the Prince, who had just risen to approach the lectern on the stage. He was wrestled to the ground by police after crashing into the lectern as he fired the second shot. At least 15 people jumped onto the assailant, while another man shielded the Prince, who was removed from the stage.
One police officer received a cut hand while tackling Kang. The Prince's Senior Personal Protection Officer
, Superintendent
Bob Trimming, excited admiration for the speed with which he rose to protect the Prince of Wales
. The personal bravery of the Prince was also remarked upon since Charles reacted as a soldier would to the situation.
Others on the stage included Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair, AO
(the Governor of New South Wales), John Fahey
(the Premier
of New South Wales), Frank Sartor
(the Lord Mayor of Sydney), and Tony Lauer
(the New South Wales Commissioner of Police).
Kang was arrested and taken to Sydney Police Centre. He appeared in Court on the following day, and remanded in custody until 4 February 1994. He faced six charges, including two under the Federal Crimes (Internationally Protected Persons) Act, including attacking an internationally protected person, as well as charges of illegally using a firearm, possessing a firearm, affray
, and assault
- if convicted on all counts, Kang could have received a 20 year sentence. In court, Kang testified that he was suffering from depression and was protesting the plight of Cambodian refugees in Australia. He was found guilty of threatening unlawful violence and sentenced to 500 hours of community service.
Kang has a Bachelor of Arts
with Honors in anthropology from Macquarie University
, Bachelor of Laws
from the University of Sydney
, and Master of Business Administration
from University of Technology, Sydney
.
In February 2005, he became a barrister in Sydney.
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
, he fired a starting pistol
Starting pistol
A starting pistol or starter pistol is a handgun or electronic toy weapon that is fired to start track and field races, as well as competitive swimming races at some meets. The loud report of the gun going off is a signal to the athletes to begin the event. Usually a cloud of smoke can be seen...
at the Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
during an Australia Day
Australia Day
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia...
speech at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, on 26 January 1994. His father is Robert Kang, a former Republic of Korea Air Force
Republic of Korea Air Force
The Republic of Korea Air Force is the air force of South Korea...
helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
pilot.
Kang jumped a small fence at the front of the stage and ran onto the stage, firing the first shot with his pistol as he rushed towards the Prince, who had just risen to approach the lectern on the stage. He was wrestled to the ground by police after crashing into the lectern as he fired the second shot. At least 15 people jumped onto the assailant, while another man shielded the Prince, who was removed from the stage.
One police officer received a cut hand while tackling Kang. The Prince's Senior Personal Protection Officer
Personal Protection Officer
Personal Protection Officers are officers of the London Metropolitan Police Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department who are assigned for the personal protection of members of the Royal Family. The senior officer is the Queen's Police Officer...
, Superintendent
Superintendent (police)
Superintendent , often shortened to "super", is a rank in British police services and in most English-speaking Commonwealth nations. In many Commonwealth countries the full version is superintendent of police...
Bob Trimming, excited admiration for the speed with which he rose to protect the Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
. The personal bravery of the Prince was also remarked upon since Charles reacted as a soldier would to the situation.
Others on the stage included Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair, AO
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(the Governor of New South Wales), John Fahey
John Fahey (politician)
John Joseph Fahey, AC is a former Premier of New South Wales and Federal Minister for Finance in Australia. John Fahey is currently the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1984 to 1996 and the federal House of Representatives...
(the Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
of New South Wales), Frank Sartor
Frank Sartor
Francesco Ernest 'Frank' Sartor JP a former Australian politician, was New South Wales Minister for Climate Change and the Environment and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health between 2009 and 2011. He was a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Rockdale for the...
(the Lord Mayor of Sydney), and Tony Lauer
Tony Lauer
Anthony Raymond 'Tony' Lauer, APM, JP was the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police from 1991 until 1996.-Education:...
(the New South Wales Commissioner of Police).
Kang was arrested and taken to Sydney Police Centre. He appeared in Court on the following day, and remanded in custody until 4 February 1994. He faced six charges, including two under the Federal Crimes (Internationally Protected Persons) Act, including attacking an internationally protected person, as well as charges of illegally using a firearm, possessing a firearm, affray
Affray
In many legal jurisdictions related to English common law, affray is a public order offence consisting of the fighting of two or more persons in a public place to the terror of ordinary people...
, and assault
Assault
In law, assault is a crime causing a victim to fear violence. The term is often confused with battery, which involves physical contact. The specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence, or in the more...
- if convicted on all counts, Kang could have received a 20 year sentence. In court, Kang testified that he was suffering from depression and was protesting the plight of Cambodian refugees in Australia. He was found guilty of threatening unlawful violence and sentenced to 500 hours of community service.
Kang has a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
with Honors in anthropology from Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
, Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
from the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, and Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from University of Technology, Sydney
University of Technology, Sydney
The University of Technology Sydney is a university in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The university was founded in its current form in 1981, although its origins trace back to the 1870s. UTS is notable for its central location as the only university with its main campuses within the Sydney CBD...
.
In February 2005, he became a barrister in Sydney.