Fatal Shooting Follows Petrol Station Robbery in Johor
Police investigate possible links between victim and suspects after a brazen attack.
A robbery attempt at a petrol station in Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia, turned deadly after a man was found dead at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (**HSA**). Authorities are investigating connections between the deceased and the arrested suspects.
Violent Ambush at Second Link Expressway
Around 12:10 a.m. on Thursday, a gang of four masked individuals, brandishing machetes, targeted a vehicle at a petrol station near the Second Link Expressway. CCTV footage showed the suspects smashing the car’s windows.
An occupant of the vehicle responded by firing gunshots, causing the assailants to scatter. While three robbers escaped in a getaway car, one fled on foot.
Body Discovered, Suspects Arrested
Comm Datuk M. Kumar, Johor police chief, confirmed that hospital staff alerted police to a man’s body, bearing multiple gunshot wounds, at approximately 1:40 a.m.
“CCTV footage showed two men leaving the body at the hospital entrance in a dark-coloured vehicle before driving off,”
Comm Kumar said.
The deceased was identified as a 42-year-old local man from Sungai Petani, Kedah, who had a prior criminal record. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen.
Later that day, around 7 p.m., a joint police team apprehended three men in Dang Wangi, Kuala Lumpur. The suspects include two Malaysians and one Indian national, aged 30 to 40.
Evidence Seized, Investigation Ongoing
During the arrests, police seized a Glock 19 pistol upper receiver, a licensed firearm permit, six rounds of 9mm bullets, bullet casings, and a black car believed to be connected to the incident.
“One of the suspects works as a licensed personal bodyguard, and preliminary checks show he has a firearm licence,”
stated Comm Kumar, adding that the legality of the weapon’s use is under scrutiny.
The suspects are remanded for seven days, until July 10, to aid the ongoing investigations. Police are investigating the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, Section 148 for rioting with weapons, and Section 39 of the Arms Act 1960 for discharging a firearm unlawfully. Malaysia has seen an increase in violent crime, with a 7.7% rise reported in 2023 (Statista).
Police are working to determine the relationship between the deceased and the suspects, as well as identify any other individuals involved in the attack.
Comm Kumar urged the public to avoid speculation and misinformation on social media, assuring that the incident was isolated and public safety remains secure.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Johor police hotline at 019-2792095 or the operations room at 07-2212999.