Contractor shot dead at close range in parking lot

GEORGE TOWN: A building contractor was shot at point-blank range while chatting with friends at the parking lot of the Penang Island City Council flats in Jalan Sungai Pinang.

Mohammad Nazrulhisyam Mohamed Meera, 27, died while on his way to hospital after he was shot five times in the head and body.

The gunman had ridden pillion on a motorcycle before alighting from the machine and started firing at the victim.

He continued shooting even while the victim was on the ground, before leaving the scene during the 11.30pm incident on Sunday.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Che Zaimani Che Awang said the gunman and the rider were wearing dark clothing and helmets with black visors.

“The victim was chatting with six friends before the incident took place. All his friends ran for cover when the shots were fired.

“The victim was hit from a distance of only 3m,” he said.

Asst Comm Che Zaimani said the victim had previous records for criminal intimidation, rioting with weapons and voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons.

In Sungai Petani, a man said to be a member of Gang 36 and high on the wanted list was shot dead by police after a 20km car chase from Kuala Muda to Jalan Kuala Ketil.

Kedah CID chief Senior Asst Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said police were forced to return fire after the man, 28, started shooting at them during the 5.45am incident yesterday.

“He refused to pull over despite being told to and lost control of his vehicle after it was hit by a police car.

“He escaped on foot and started shooting. Policemen at the scene returned fire,” he said.

SAC Mior Faridalathrash said a Beretta pistol, drugs and cash were recovered from the man’s car.

Kuala Muda OCPD Asst Comm Adzli Abu Shah said the man was wanted by police over the murder of a woman in Paya Nahu last year.