A MAN who fatally shot his younger brother in a village in Tenom was later shot dead by police after refusing to surrender and threatening officers during a standoff, authorities said.
The incident, which occurred at around 8.00am in Kampung Kangkawang along Jalan Kemabong, left a 54-year-old smallholder dead after he sustained eight gunshot wounds to his back.
His 57-year-old elder brother, the suspect, was believed to have used a homemade firearm known locally as a bakakuk and was suspected to have been suffering from mental health issues.
Tenom district police chief Superintendent Azmir Abd Razak said officers were alerted to the shooting at 8.54am, prompting an immediate deployment to the scene.
Upon arrival, villagers informed police that the suspect had barricaded himself inside a house while armed and was threatening to shoot anyone who approached.
"Police then cordoned off the area and ordered the suspect to surrender three times, but he refused to come out.
"Several rounds of tear gas were fired into the house to force the suspect out, but he still did not cooperate," he said in a statement.
Azmir said the situation escalated when the suspect suddenly ran towards the kitchen while pointing the weapon at officers positioned near a window.
"In self-defence, a police officer was forced to fire three shots, which struck the suspect’s right arm, left chest and left ribs.
"The suspect then collapsed in the kitchen area of the house and was confirmed dead at the scene.
"Further inspection found that the suspect’s bakakuk still contained one live round in the chamber," he said.
Police also seized several items at the scene, including parts of the homemade firearm, ammunition, spent casings and a long machete.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder and Section 307 for attempted murder, with further inquiries ongoing, he added. - March 31, 2026
