Nabbed – anime enthusiast who took play acting too far

KUALA LUMPUR: A few people got hurt when a man released pepper spray at a comic convention here.

Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Shaharuddin Abdullah said a security supervisor and another man who helped him apprehend the suspect took the brunt of the chemical.

“The security supervisor heard that an attendee, who was dressed as an anime character, was creating a ruckus in one of the halls of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre at about 6.45pm on Sunday.

“The two men then tried to apprehend the suspect and were sprayed with the substance,” he said.

One was sent to hospital for treatment, said ACP Shaharuddin.

Other security personnel then stepped in and managed to over- power and apprehend the man.

Among items found on the suspect were a knife, a paintball gun, a metal baton and two pepper spray canisters.

According to a source, the suspect became upset when security personnel told him to leave the premises.

He retaliated by using the pepper canister.

One of the attendees smelt pepper as she headed toward the area where artists were exhibiting their works.

“Organisers told visitors to evacuate the area but I wasn’t sure what was happening,” said Catalina Rembuyan, a 35-year-old teacher, when interviewed by The Star.

Another witness said the man sprayed randomly in the convention centre and the chemical affected at least two other people.

He said the other attendees then tackled the suspect to the ground and alerted the security supervisor.

Police detained the suspect and were investigating the man for criminal intimidation, possession of imitation arms and carrying an offensive weapon in public.

Meanwhile, convention organisers said in a statement that they would be increasing security measures at future events.

“The incident was an isolated case and is most regrettable,” it said.