Thupten Choepel, a 24-year-old Tibetan trader from Hola Village, Markham County, participated in the peaceful demonstrations in Lhasa on 1 October 1987. During the unrest, he attempted to rescue monks trapped inside a burning police station but was shot twice by Chinese police, sustaining serious gunshot wounds to his buttock and lower back. He witnessed security forces firing at people attempting to escape, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

After being denied treatment at one hospital, he was admitted to Menthang Hospital, where he observed numerous civilians, including women, children, and monks, suffering from gunshot wounds. Fearing arrest after his recovery, he briefly returned to his home village before going back to Lhasa. He was later arrested and detained by Nagchuka police for possessing and distributing approximately 300 photographs of the Dalai Lama, reflecting restrictions on expressions of Tibetan identity and religious devotion.