‘Mexican standoff’ in Penampang: Shots fired outside coffee-shop

PENAMPANG - Shots were heard outside a coffee shop at the Penampang Baru township at about 4.10pm.

Witnesses claimed the brief shootout happened between a group of men, some on the street and those in four wheel drive vehicle.

‎The area was immediately cordoned off by police where among others a four wheel drive vehicle was parked and is now the centre of their investigations.

A witness who identified himself as Ah Choong said he heard several shots fired repeatedly prompting most shops to close it sliding doors.

" I was in a coffee shop nearby at the time and we could hear motorcycles, some cars in the area before some police vehicles arrived within 10 minutes.

" When the shop owner tried opening the premises however he was told to keep it shut," he said.

Photos of a man lying motionless inside a four wheel drive in the area has been circulated on the social media.

Police have yet to issue any statement about what had transpired.

‎ Photographers and journalists, who were capturing pictures were also stopped by police personnel from doing so.

Two policemen were seen shouting at the journalists and photographers and asked the media to delete pictures. -NST