POLICE in Sarawak have formed a special squad to hunt down two armed assailants who carried out a daring public shooting at a coffeeshop in Sibu town, allegedly using semi-automatic pistols yesterday evening.
The armed men were riding a motorcycle when they carried out the shooting at about 5pm, pumping ten bullets at three male youths, who were shot in the arms, thighs and other parts of the legs.
Sibu district police chief Zulkipli Suhaili said the police recovered 10 spent-bullet casings from the site of the shooting.
He told a press conference today at the Sibu police headquarters that the victims sustained wounds but have managed to survive.
“All the three victims are in stable condition in the Sibu Hospital despite being shot in the thighs, legs and hands.
“They were having some drinks with three other friends at the coffeeshop at about 5pm when two men on a motorcycle stopped and shot at them.
“One of the armed assailants started shooting from about 20m away while the other came within close range of the three victims,” he said.
The two assailants sped off on their motorbike after shooting at their targets, he added.
The three victims who were shot are aged between 27 to 33 years.
“The three have criminal records for violent crimes and causing hurt to others,” said Zulkipli.
The police team that had rushed to the site upon receiving an alert found the casings of the used bullets, he added.
“We suspect the bullets are from semi-automatic pistols,” he said.
Zulkipli said a special team has been formed to investigate the shooting incident. They are probing the case from all angles.
He called on witnesses who saw the shooting or those with information on the case to call Mingkat Bakil at 019-8867978 or go to the nearest police station and report to the officer in charge. – The Vibes, January 2, 2024
