KLIA shooting: Police did not open fire at suspect to prevent bigger tragedy

SEPANG: The police did not engage in a shoot-out with the suspect in the shooting incident at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 (KLIA 1) as bystanders were at risk and could have been injured – or worse.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said many were questioning why police did not immediately take action during the incident.

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“If we engaged the suspect (in a shoot-out), it could have been worse. It was a public space with a lot of people, including children,” he said at the KLIA district police headquarters on Monday (April 15).

He said that authorities' response to the incident was “good”.

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“They controlled the situation immediately and prevented it from becoming worse. The suspect was isolated and airport safety brought under control promptly,” he said.

When asked about the condition of the bodyguard who was shot, Comm Hussein said that he was in a stable condition.

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On Sunday (April 14) morning, a man attempted to kill his wife at the arrival hall of KLIA 1.

The intended target, travel agency owner Farah Md Isa, better known as Farah Cie, was waiting for her clients to return from umrah.

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Hafizul set off some firecrackers before opening fire at her at close range.

Her bodyguard managed to save her but was shot in the stomach. Hafizul then escaped to his car, parked at Block C of the airport car park.