Pasir Ris slashing sees four hospitalised, including suspect; police say parties are 'not on friendly terms'
A 61-year-old man will be charged with attempted murder with a chopper, as residents allude to jealousy between businesses
SINGAPORE — A 61-year-old man will be charged with attempted murder on Thursday (21 December) following an alleged slashing incident on Wednesday at Pasir Ris West Plaza, where three other individuals were wounded.
The police told Yahoo Southeast Asia that it responded to a call for assistance at the neighbourhood shopping mall at around 4.50pm on Wednesday. A 46-year-old man and two women, aged 53 and 55, were conscious when taken to hospital.
"A 61-year-old man was conveyed semi-conscious to the hospital and was subsequently arrested for voluntarily causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapon," said the police on Wednesday.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the parties involved are known to one another and were not on friendly terms."
In an update on Thursday, police said that preliminary investigations revealed that the 61-year-old man had allegedly armed himself with a chopper and attacked the three victims. The chopper was seized as a case exhibit.
Videos circulating on social media platforms depicted the aftermath, with police presence outside Royal Regent, a store selling mobile phones and clothing items at the mall. In a TikTok video posted by user @mt15059, a woman with blood on her head and arms was shown holding a cloth to her face.
Teo Chee Hean confirms non-random nature of incident
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is the Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, wrote in a post on his Facebook page that the incident was "not random" and seemed linked to a dispute.
"It is believed that it may be related to an ongoing dispute between the parties involved in the incident," he added.
Teo said that four individuals, including the suspect, sustained injuries in the incident. All were taken to the hospital and evaluated to be stable. He added that it is believed the suspect acted alone.
Residents speak out after alleged slashing incident at Pasir Ris West Plaza
CNA reported that a Pasir Ris resident, who wished to be identified as Mr Lee, shared details after speaking with the parents of the two women who operated Royal Regent.
The 75-year-old retiree explained that the younger woman's husband manages a store in Loyang, while the alleged assailant owns a nearby shop in Pasir Ris. According to Lee, there was jealousy over the disparity in success between their businesses.
Although Lee did not directly witness the incident, he mentioned hearing that the younger woman suffered more severe injuries, including a wound on her face near her eye.
Meanwhile, The Straits Times reported that a worker at a pharmacy located two shops away recounted hearing a woman's scream at around 4pm. The employee mentioned recognising the voice as belonging to the woman employed at the sundry shop situated between the pharmacy and the provision store.
Fearing for her safety, the employee admitted to running away upon hearing the scream and did not witness the assailant.
The offence of attempted murder carries a punishment of life imprisonment and caning, and/or imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine or caning. Those aged 50 years and above cannot be sentenced to caning.
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