Kanowit police shoot armed suspect on the run who injured policeman

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By William Isau

KANOWIT, Sept 17: Police yesterday opened fire on a male suspect who was wanted to assist in a drug-related case after he injured a policeman with a cock-fighting spur.

The incident happened at a jetty in Sungai Kanowit here when the 35-year-old suspect refused to cooperate with the police.

Kanowit District Police Chief DSP Dennis Bunyam said that at approximately 3.20pm policemen found the suspect at the location.

“However, the suspect did not cooperate when asked to surrender but instead acted aggressively by attacking a policeman with a sharp weapon suspected to be a kerambit.

“As a result of the attack, a policeman suffered serious injuries to his left arm and lower left abdomen,” he said.

The suspect fled after injuring the victim.

Dennis said that the injured policeman was taken to Kanowit Hospital and later referred to Sibu Hospital for further treatment.

He also said that the policemen involved is in a stable condition.

Following the incident, Dennis added, on the same day at around 5pm, a police team led by himself tracked down the suspect who had fled using a passenger boat.

According to him, the suspect was standing on the roof of the boat holding a machete in his right hand and a kerambit in his left.

“The police warned the suspect to lay down his weapons and surrender.

“However, the suspect continued to act aggressively and attack the police by brandishing the machete at the police officers.

“For security reasons and in self-defense, the police fired at the suspect and hit the suspect’s right thigh,” he said.

Dennis said, the suspect was finally arrested and the weapons were confiscated.

The suspect was later sent to Kanowit Hospital and then referred to Sibu Hospital for further treatment, he explained.

“The suspect is in a stable condition. The result of a urine test found that the suspect is positive for drugs. The suspect also has a drug-related criminal record,” he explained.

Dennis added that the case was investigated under Section 307 of the Criminal Code for attempted murder.

The suspect has been remanded until Sept 23 for further investigation. — DayakDaily