Police shoot dead serial offender in Penang after midnight firefight

Attempt to apprehend suspect, who has 16 criminal records, leads to high-speed chase, exchange of gunfire

The 44-year-old armed robbery suspect died on the spot after being shot by police during an exchange of gunfire last night in Machang Bubok, Penang. – Screengrab, December 31, 2023

KUALA LUMPUR – A man who was involved in an armed robbery and has 16 criminal records has been shot dead after a midnight shootout with the police in Machang Bubok, Penang.

Penang police chief Datuk Khaw Kok Chin said the authorities on patrol initially found that a Proton X70 was moving suspiciously towards Sg Lembu at 12.35am.

“A Serious Crime Division (D9) team attempted to stop the car, but the driver sped off trying to escape while shooting at the police.

“The police returned fire and gave chase. After some 200m, the vehicle crashed at the side of the road,” he told Bernama. 

This did not stop the man from getting out of the car and continuing to shoot at the police with his semi automatic pistol. It only ended when the police finally hit him, and he died on the spot.

Khaw said the man, aged 44, had an address in Penang and was involved in several robberies in the state, Selangor and Melaka. He was also arrested previously on drug charges, arms and other offences under the emergency ordinance.

The car plate used was also fake, as police later found.

Police added that the man often acted alone during robberies and used firearms to scare his victims. – December 31, 2023