Police shoot dead suspect after fatal shooting of younger brother in Tenom

TENOM (March 31): A man was shot dead by police after he allegedly shot and killed his younger brother with a bakakuk (homemade shotgun) in an incident at Kampung Kangkawang at Jalan Kemabong here on Sunday.

Tenom District Police Chief Supt Azmir Abd Razak said the 57-year-old suspect died at the scene after police opened fire, striking him in the right arm, left chest and left rib.

His younger brother, 54, also died after sustaining eight gunshot wounds to his back in the 8am incident.

“Based on initial police investigation, the suspect, who had mental health problems, shot his younger brother after claiming to have heard that his sibling and sister-in-law were talking badly about him,” Azmir said in a statement.

Police were alerted to the incident and a team of officers was dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, villagers informed the police that the suspect was inside a house armed with a firearm and threatening to shoot anyone who approached the area.

Police then surrounded the house and ordered the suspect to surrender three times, but he refused to comply.

Several tear gas canisters were fired into the house in an attempt to force him out, but the suspect still did not surrender.

Azmir said the situation escalated when the suspect ran towards the kitchen while pointing his weapon at a police officer standing near a window.

“In self-defense, police fired three shots that hit the suspect in the right arm, left chest and left rib.

“The suspect then collapsed on the kitchen floor before being confirmed dead at the scene,” he said.

Inspection at the scene found that the suspect’s bakakuk still contained a live round in the chamber.

Police have seized several items including the bakakuk firearm, ammunition, spent casings and a long machete at the scene of the incident.

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder and Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.

“Further investigation is still ongoing,” Azmir said.