Patrons at a food court at Kota Tinggi in Taman Kota Jaya were sent fleeing for their lives after a man brazenly fired several shots yesterday afternoon (Apr 29).
As a result of the shooting, three individuals — two local men and a foreign woman aged between 37 and 63 — died at the scene, reported NST.
Thought gunshots were firecrackers
Speaking to the English daily, several traders at the area recounted the terrifying incident and said they initially thought the gunshots were firecrackers.
A trader named Abdul said he saw several people arguing about 50m from his shop before the situation turned physical.
He said the suspect then went to his vehicle before coming back and opening fire.
After that, we heard several loud bangs. At first, we thought they were firecrackers, but it turned out to be gunshots. Everyone was panicked, so we immediately closed shop.”
Another trader named Hamzah said he saw the suspect loitering in the area before the incident and acted suspiciously.
He added the suspect was a vegetable seller and farm operator in the area and had no history of beefing with residents, although he’s believed to have had a dispute with the victims.
Shooting allegedly triggered by debt dispute
Meanwhile, Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspect, a 71-year-old local man, was nabbed by police 30 minutes after the shooting.
A Benelli M/Super shotgun, believed to have been used in the attack, was also seized by police.
However, checks found that the suspect had no prior criminal record and holds a valid firearm licence to use the gun for agricultural purposes.
A source later told NST that before the shooting, the suspect had recently confronted one of the victims, a restaurant owner, to pay back a loan.
However, the victim was said to have scolded and physically assaulted the suspect instead of settling the alleged debt.
The suspect is expected to be remanded at the Kota Tinggi magistrate’s court today and police are probing the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
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