A dash through incident was reported at 4.36am on 31 May 2015 in the vicinity of Shangri-La Hotel. Police shot dead one man and arrested two others in relation to this incident.
Due to the ongoing Shangri-La Dialogue, security measures including vehicle and person check points were put in place in the vicinity of Shangri-La Hotel. These checks are an important part of Police’s standard operating procedures to ensure that all vehicles and persons entering or approaching the secured venues are checked for dangerous weapons and explosives that could be used to harm persons attending a major security event.
The trio was earlier stopped at a security checkpoint set up along Ardmore Park. When the subjects were questioned by the Police officers, the driver, Mohamed Taufik Bin Zahar (34 years old) suddenly accelerated the vehicle towards the police officers, in the direction of Shangri-La Hotel.
When the said vehicle crashed through the concrete barricades that were put in place to prevent such an intrusion, Police officers responded swiftly to prevent the vehicle from approaching Shangri-la Hotel. Despite repeated warnings to stop, the vehicle continued to drive dangerously across the security checkpoint and headed towards the secured venue. Officers fired at the vehicle to stop it from causing harm to others and from proceeding further.
The driver was pronounced dead at scene. His two passengers, Mohamed bin Ismail (31 years old) and Muhammad Syahid bin Mohamed Yasin (26 years old) were arrested. Mohamed bin Ismail sustained injuries during the incident and was conveyed to hospital conscious. All three men are Singaporean. Substances believed to be controlled drugs and an item, believed to be a drug-taking utensil, were found on the two men arrested. No weapons were found on the three subjects.
Police and officers from Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Explosives Defence Group (CBRE DG) searched the Singapore-registered vehicle, a red Subaru Impreza. No explosives, arms or weapons were found in the vehicle. A bag containing white powdery substances believed to contain controlled drugs was recovered in the vehicle.
The deceased was wanted for failing to attend court for an offence of criminal intimidation and has drug related antecedents as well as other criminal records. Mohamed bin Ismail is also wanted for drug related offences and for failing to stop at a roadblock. Both he and Muhammad Syahid bin Mohamed Yasin have drug related antecedents and criminal records. Investigations are still ongoing. The two men are being investigated by Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for drug-related offences and will be charged on 1 June 2015 for a drug trafficking offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The Special Investigation Section of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the death of Mohamed Taufik bin Zahar as part of the Coroner’s Inquiry process. All shooting cases are treated seriously and will be thoroughly investigated by the Police.
Preliminary investigations indicate that this is an isolated incident and is not terrorism related.
Police have developed a calibrated approach to public security to ensure that Singapore remains safe and secure. Enhanced security measures are put in place for major security events because these events are attractive targets for terrorist attacks. The public are advised to comply with Police’s directions to ensure their safety and security.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
1 JUNE 2015 @ 2.00AM
Source: Singapore Police Force
