Everything About the Shooting Incident in Balestier Whereby a Cop Was Injured As Well

By
Ashley Seek
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Police officers are known mainly for one thing: keeping civilians safe.

Still, it is actually rare that we see officers actually fire their guns in Singapore.

However, when some criminals get too out of hand, drastic measures might have to be taken.

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Shooting Incident in Balestier

According to The Straits Times, a 36-year-old man was shot in the abdomen this morning (5 November 2020).

This happened in Balestier, during a struggle with some police officers.

The shot occurred after the man assaulted one officer and tried to grab the revolver of another.

He is currently in a hospital and in stable condition.

You have to wonder what was so serious that an officer had to open fire in Singapore.

Happened During A Police Raid

The incident happened around 1am that day.

Apparently, the police conducted a raid in an apartment in City Suites condominium at 235 Balestier Road to arrest a group of four.

They were reported to be involved in multiple cheating cases.

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Upon entering, one officer was attacked by the 36-year-old, falling to the floor while bleeding from his face.

A second officer tried to get him to stop attacking without much success.

After noting the presence of another 22-year-old man, whom he feared would join the assault, the same officer drew his gun.

Tried To Attack Second Officer

The first attacker then turned to the gun-wielding officer and tried to take his weapon.

However, following an intense struggle, the man was shot in his abdomen.

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Despite this, the man still attacked until backup officers managed to subdue the two men.

Two women, aged 33 and 23 years old, were also arrested for cheating and taking drugs.

They were girlfriends of the arrested men.

The first officer suffered injuries to his face and arm while the second had wounds on his hands and lips.

According to CNA, the Assistant Commissioner of Police said that the two officers felt that their lives were threatened, hence the use of the firearm.

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Based on Section 75(2) of the 1955 Criminal Procedure Code, police officers may “use all reasonable means necessary to make the arrest” if someone tries to forcefully resist arrest.

However, the arrested cannot be restrained more than necessary to prevent escape.

As part of the protocol, the Special Investigation Section is investigating the officer’s use of his revolver.

Arrest Charges

The 36-year-old man was arrested for causing hurt to deter a public servant from carrying out his duties.

The 22-year-old accomplice is also being investigated for the same reason.

However, the former has more on the plate, including cheating offences, unlawful assembly, drug and custom-related offences.

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However, the men and their girlfriends weren’t the only ones involved in crime.

Accomplices

The Straits Times reports that 3 others were arrested between 3 to 5 Nov in separate police raids.

They two 18-year-olds, one man and woman, and one 32-year-old man.

All three were involved in several cheating cases.

The trio used things like victims’ credit card details to apply for and buy handsets and phone lines from a telco.

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The handsets were eventually sold off.

When the telcos tried to claim the money from the banks, the transaction was rejected and cost them over S$42,000.

Six handsets purchased by the offenders was seized on Tuesday.

Five handsets, a laptop, a signature pad and 23 SIM cards were also confiscated along Bukit Timah Road.

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Ashley Seek
[email protected]