Datuk’s bodyguard on shooting rampage kills 3

> Four others injured as shots fired randomly during rush-hour traffic

GEORGE TOWN: A man with the title of “Datuk” was one of three people killed after his bodyguard went on a shooting rampage yesterday.

Another four people were injured during the 7.30pm incident at the Penang Bridge entrance of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Highway.

The bodyguard, in his 40s, had opened fire on Datuk Ong Teik Kwong, 32, forcing the car they were travelling in to a halt.

Penang CID chief SAC Zainol Samah said the suspect then shot another person in the car, who then tried to flee.

The suspect then exited the vehicle and shot at the man as he ran, but the victim managed to escape.

The gunman then shot indiscriminately at other motorists on the busy expressway during rush-hour traffic.

Two men were killed by the random shots while four others were injured.

The identities of the two deceased were being ascertained at press time.

One of those injured has been identified as Mohd Amirul Amin Amir, 27, a cameraman with RTM, who was hit in the shoulder by a stray bullet.

Zainol said the suspect was detained at the scene by police officers who rushed there after being notified by the public.

He said police were investigating the motive behind the shooting.

“Investigations are being carried out for murder under the Penal Code,” he added.

The incident resulted in a massive traffic snarl along the highway stretching all the way back to George Town.

Thousands were stuck in the bumper-to-bumper crawl as they headed to the Penang Bridge or Bayan Baru.

Meanwhile, the Penang Hospital was packed with concerned friends and family members of the victims.

Amirul’s father, Mohd Amir Abd Salam, 62, said he was told to go to the hospital by his daughter and only found out what happened when he arrived.