COVID-19: Man who stabbed NParks officer to be charged with attempted murder
SINGAPORE — A 61-year-old man was arrested for attempted murder on Monday (4 May) after allegedly stabbing a National Parks Board (NParks) officer who was installing SafeEntry signs along the Sungei Serangoon Park Connector.
The man, who was cutting plants illegally at the park connector and was not wearing a mask, had turned aggressive and attacked the officer with a sharp instrument, said the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and NParks in a statement.
“The victim sustained serious injuries to his chest, arm, and hand. He was conscious when conveyed to Changi General Hospital,” said the police, who were alerted to the incident, following a call by the injured officer’s colleague at around noon on Monday.
The man fled the scene on his bicycle before the police arrived but he was arrested within 1.5 hours of the incident.
The police said that the man will be charged in court on Wednesday with attempted murder. If convicted, the man can face life imprisonment and caning.
The man will also be investigated for possession of offensive weapons in public places and breach of safe distancing measures.
The police said they will seek a court order to send him for psychiatric assessment.
In a Facebook post later on the same day, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said the injured NParks officer is currently warded at the hospital for surgery.
“My thoughts are with the officer and his family. I wish him a speedy recovery,” he said.
Masagos added, “I would like to underscore that any form of abuse or attack against public officers constitutes a grave offence. Egregious perpetrators will be prosecuted in court.”
“I urge the public to cooperate with our enforcement officers and ambassadors, and to comply with safe distancing measures — these are in place to keep all of us safe against COVID-19.”
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