JOHOR BARU: Six shots were fired in a deadly restaurant shooting in Kota Tinggi, where a 71-year-old man allegedly killed three people.
The shooting is believed to be linked to a long-running debt dispute.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said investigators recovered six spent cartridges at the scene in Taman Kota Jaya last Sunday, indicating that all rounds were discharged from a semi-automatic shotgun.
The victims were a 37-year-old Vietnamese woman who operated the restaurant, and two Malaysian men aged 61 and 63, both regular patrons.
Police believe the motive stemmed from an unpaid debt of about RM50,000.
“The suspect is believed to have lent money in stages to the 37-year-old Vietnamese victim over a period of three years. She was a widow running her late husband’s family eatery,” he said, adding that there was no written agreement between them.
Comm Ab Rahaman said the investigation papers have been completed and submitted to the deputy public prosecutor, who has given approval for the suspect to be charged in the Kota Tinggi court on Monday.
“We have obtained approval to charge the suspect under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder,” he said.
Upon conviction, the offence carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, along with up to 12 strokes of the cane.
Police also confirmed that the suspect holds a valid firearm licence issued in Kuantan, Pahang, about 35 years ago.
The man, who owns agricultural land, is married with four children.
He was arrested about 200m from the scene at around 2pm on the day of the incident. His vehicle, a shotgun component and ammunition were also seized to assist investigations.
