Crime suspect shot for attacking police

PENAMPANG: Police shot a man when he tried to attack them with a parang at Mile 10, near Kampung Lokub, in Sepanggar early Monday morning.

Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Razarudin Husain said the 31-year-old suspect sustained a gunshot wound to his left thigh in the 2am incident.

A police team was making a normal patrol operation along the area when they spotted a Nissan Vannet van with four suspicious men inside.

“The van sped off as police approached the vehicle.

“Police chased after the van until Kampung Lokub when the van suddenly went out of control and rammed into an Avanza car before plunging into a drain.

“Three of the suspects fled the scene while another suspect came out of the vehicle and proceeded to attack our men with a parang.

“Police were forced to open fire on the suspect, hitting him on his left thigh, in self-defence,” he said at a press conference at the Penampang police headquarters yesterday.

Also present were state Crime Investigation Department chief Datuk Salehhudin Abdul Rahman, Kota Kinabalu police chief ACP M. Chandra and Penampang police chief DSP Haris Ibrahim.

The suspect was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment, said Razarudin.

Less than 24 hours later, police detained a second suspect, in his 20s, at midnight yesterday to facilitate investigation.

Police, who investigated the abandoned van, found numerous tools, including a mask, believed to be used for housebreaking, said Razarudin.

A manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects while the case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.

Razarudin (second right) speaking to reporters as Salehhudin (second left) and Chandra (right) showing the tools and face mask that were confiscated from the suspect. Haris is at left.