Couple slashed outside flat in Tampines
A couple was attacked at their doorstep as they were returning home to their flat in Tampines on Monday night.
39-year-old Li Wencheng and his wife Yuanxiu, 42, both fish soup sellers at the food court in Tampines One, were about to unlock their gate when Mr Li saw an angry man charging toward them from a staircase near their flat on the 13th floor of Block 716, Tampines Street 72.
"Before I could react, he slashed me in the head and blood gushed out," a still-shaken Li told Today from his hospital bed. He had sustained injuries to his head, face and left arm.
His wife tried to block the attacker from knifing her husband again but was herself slashed in the back.
"He continued to try to slash us, but all this time he did not say a word," she added.
The couple screamed for help and two neighbours eventually came forward to help subdue the unknown attacker, who had lost control of the knife and fell into a row of potted plants along the corridor. He is believed to be living in the same block.
Police said that they later arrested the man, a 25-year-old who is believed to be suffering from mental problems, for "voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon".
Eyewitnesses said his mother rushed to the scene shortly after in a panic, asking him why he attacked the couple.
All three were sent to Changi General Hospital to be treated. Although the attacker had not sustained any visible injuries, neighbours who witnessed the attack said he appeared to be breathless.
The Lis, who are Singapore permanent residents, but were originally from Guilin in China, have stayed in their rented room in Tampines for over a year. They have two daughters aged 17 and 9 who are living and studying in China.
Even though the attacker had been arrested, Li told Today of his plan to move out of the flat as soon as possible, and that they were not taking any chances.
"We've told everyone back in China how good and safe Singapore is -- how do we explain to them now about what has happened to us?" he said.
