Witnesses mistook blasts that killed three for firecrackers in Kota Jaya

 

KOTA TINGGI: Panic gripped a business area in Taman Kota Jaya here on Sunday (April 19) in the lead-up to a fatal shooting that killed three, resulting in a 71-year-old being arrested by police.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion that was initially thought to be firecrackers before realising they were gunshots.

A trader who wanted to be known only as Abdul, 33, said he first saw several people arguing at a food outlet about 50m from his shop before the situation escalated into a physical fight.

He said the suspect then went to his vehicle before returning to the scene.

"After that, we heard several loud bangs. At first, we thought they were firecrackers, but it turned out to be gunshots. Everyone was panicked, so we immediately closed shop," he said.

Another trader, who wanted to be known as Hamzah, 57, said he noticed the suspect loitering in the area before the incident, acting suspiciously.

"He (the suspect) was here before the incident, but we never expected it to end in tragedy. After the blasts rang out, people panicked and started asking for help," said the trader, who has been operating in the area for more than 10 years.

He said the suspect, a vegetable seller and farm operator in the area, had no known issues with residents but is believed to have had a dispute with the victims.

Earlier, Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said two local men and a foreign woman, aged 37 to 63, were shot dead at a restaurant in Taman Kota Jaya here on Sunday, allegedly with a shotgun.

He said police received a report of the incident at about 1.30 pm, adding that the victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

He said a 71-year-old local man was arrested about 200m from the scene at 2 pm to assist in the investigation, and a remand application will be made at the Kota Tinggi Magistrates' Court tomorrow. - Bernama