KOTA KINABALU: A family dispute is believed to have led a 57-year-old man to shoot his younger brother dead in Tenom.
The suspect, who was also shot dead by police after he threatened to shoot them, was apparently angry with his younger brother and sister-in-law, whom the suspect claimed were speaking ill of him, before the shooting incident at the house in Kg Kangkawang along Jalan Kemabong at 8am on Sunday.
Tenom OCPD Supt Azmir Abd Razak said initial investigations revealed the suspect had long‑standing mental health issues, especially after going through a divorce.
He said the situation worsened when one of the suspect’s daughters was taken in and raised by his younger brother’s family.
“On the morning of the incident, the suspect lost his temper after accusing the younger brother and his wife of speaking ill of him in front of their residence,” Supt Azmir said, adding that the suspect claimed he could hear them talking ill about him from his house nearby.
According to the OCPD, the suspect allegedly fired from his house window, killing his 54-year-old brother, who sustained eight gunshot wounds.
He said forensic teams conducted investigations at the location and seized several items, including the bakakuk (homemade gun), bullets and casings, and a parang for analysis.
He said investigators were still recording statements from all witnesses to assist in the case.
“Among those interviewed were the younger brother’s wife, the suspect’s daughter, as well as several police personnel,” said Supt Azmir.
The suspect was reported to have been shot by police after he aimed his bakakuk at a policeman who attempted to get him to surrender.
Supt Azmir said police rushed to the scene after receiving a call at 8.54am, and learnt that the suspect was armed and threatening to shoot anyone who approached his house.
“Police then surrounded the house and ordered the suspect to surrender three times, but he refused.
“Several rounds of tear gas were fired into the house to force him out, but he still did not budge,” he said.
Supt Azmir added that the situation escalated when the suspect ran towards the kitchen while pointing his weapon at police officers near the window of his house.
