Man allegedly armed with weapon shot by police at Pasir Ris Park

SINGAPORE — A man believed to be holding a weapon was shot in the arm by a police officer in Pasir Ris Park on Friday (Nov 8).

According to Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao, the incident happened at about 6am near a bird watching tower at the park.

It added that the man appeared emotionally agitated and seemed to want to attack others at the park.

He was sent to the hospital after being shot.

When The Straits Times arrived at the park at around 12.40pm, both paths leading to the tower were cordoned off.

At least three police officers, four police cars and one police van were at the scene.

Nick Wheeler, 52, said he saw two police officers looking for something on the ground and in the bushes near the tower as he was strolling there at about 12.45pm.

The accountant, who lives nearby, usually uses the path leading to the tower during his regular walks, but had to make a detour due to the police cordon.

Brian Chong, 30, who cycles around Pasir Ris Park weekly, said he was shocked when he heard what had happened.

Chong, who works in IT, said: "Such incidents are rare in Singapore, so it's quite scary. But if the man was intending to harm the public, it's good the police intervened."

In March 2022, the police shot a 64-year-old man, who was under the influence of drugs, at Block 33 Bendemeer Road.

Ng Eng Kui had brandished a kitchen knife at the doorway of his home despite being confronted by four police officers.

After three attempts to incapacitate him with taser shots failed, Ng stepped out to face the officers in a narrow corridor.

Assessing himself and his three colleagues to be in imminent danger, an officer fired a single round from his pistol, hitting Ng in the chest, killing him.

On Monday, in a coroner's inquiry into Ng's death, District Judge Kamala Ponnampalam ruled that the officer had not errantly discharged his firearm, adding that Ng's death was an unfortunate misadventure.

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This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.