On 8 November 2024 at about 6am, the Police were alerted to an incident of a woman sitting on the ledge at the top of a tower in Pasir Ris Park.
Responding to the call and upon arrival, the responding officers did not see anyone at the tower. As they searched the vicinity, the officers saw a man at a nearby hut. When the officers approached, the man deployed an improvised device which ejected flames towards the officers. The officers drew their weapons and commanded him to stop and drop the improvised device. However, he refused to comply despite multiple warnings and continued to advance towards the officers with the improvised device. As there was imminent threat to the safety of the officers, a 30-year-old police officer fired a shot at the man with his pistol. The man fell to the ground and was immediately arrested by the officers. The officers conducted a search and found a knife near him. The man suffered puncture wounds on his left forearm and abdomen. The arresting officers rendered first aid to the man before SCDF’s arrival. He was subsequently conveyed conscious to the hospital where he is currently undergoing surgery. Another 24-year-old police officer sustained abrasions and was treated at scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the man was believed to be the caller of the incident. He had allegedly called and gave false information to lure the officers to the location, with the intent to cause harm to them. This was not his first brush with the law and he has an outstanding warrant of arrest against him for failing to attend court for his alleged involvement in a case of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and intentional harassment. The man has multiple past antecedents of hurt and property offences.
An improvised device which functioned like a flamethrower and a knife were seized at the scene as case exhibits. Police investigations are ongoing.
The 42-year-old man will be charged in court for the offence of attempted murder under Section 307 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence of attempted murder where hurt is caused to any person by such act carries life imprisonment and caning, or imprisonment of up to 20 years and fine or caning, or both.
Commander of Bedok Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Wong said, “This appeared to be a targeted attack against our police officers. Preliminary investigations indicate that it was likely a deliberate attempt to lure officers to harm them. Our officers responded decisively according to the situation and their training. I am proud of their courage and resilience. The Police stand resolute in the face of threats, and will protect the public and our officers, as we do our duty to keep Singapore safe and secure.”
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
08 November 2024 @ 7:05 PM