BETONG: A villager was slashed to death by a mentally unsound man who ran amok with a machete at a longhouse in Ulu Layar on Sept 16.
District police chief DSP Zamry Alli said the fatal incident happened when the 57-year-old victim was trying to escape with other residents in a vehicle after finding out that the suspect had gone on a rampage late in the evening.
“However, the vehicle they wanted to escape in, suddenly broke down and the suspect, who is believed to have mental problems, walked towards the victim and slashed him.
“Investigations found that the victim died on the spot near his damaged car,” Zamry said.
The other residents managed to escape the suspect’s rampage by hiding in nearby bushes.
A police team despatched to the scene after receiving a report pertaining to the incident, ordered the suspect to surrender but he refused to do so.
“The suspect acted aggressively and attacked the police with a machete and a stick.
“The police have to shoot the suspect in self-defence,” he said.
Zamry added that the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Further investigations are still ongoing and the community are advised not to speculate on the incident.
“We request witnesses of the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation,” he said.
