SHAH ALAM: Police are still investigating the mental state of the foreign man who allegedly severed a policeman’s right wrist during an attack at an apartment in Kepong.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar said more than 20 statements had been recorded, including from people who knew the suspect, as investigators sought to establish what triggered the incident.
“Based on what we know so far, the suspect was believed to have been experiencing mental health issues at the time and was running amok at the premises.
“Based on that information, police, together with personnel from other agencies, went to the scene to assess the situation.
“However, the root cause of his mental health issues is still being investigated,” he told a press conference at the state police headquarters on Friday (Nov 13).
Comm Shazeli said investigations also found that the suspect had been staying at the premises with a local friend who was paying the rent.
“As stated by the Immigration Department, the suspect was also found to have overstayed and had an expired passport,” he said.
Asked whether the number of personnel at the scene could have affected the policeman’s ability to react before he was injured, Comm Shazeli said this, together with the cramped conditions at the premises, could have been a factor.
On whether standard operating procedures (SOPs) had been followed during the incident, he said officers at the scene had to assess the circumstances and determine the most appropriate course of action.
“The SOP serves as a guide, but the officers at the scene must make the final assessment and decide on the appropriate course of action based on the circumstances.
“As mentioned, the residential premises were rather cramped, with personnel from several agencies present. This may have affected the actions that could be taken at the time,” he said.
Comm Shazeli added that police did not wait for incidents such as this to conduct refresher courses, saying training was carried out regularly.
On Wednesday, a foreign man who allegedly severed a policeman’s right wrist during an attack at an apartment in Desa Amanpuri, Kepong, was shot by police and later died from his injuries.
Police said the man had charged out of a residential unit armed with two machetes at about 7pm before attacking police officers, firefighters and Health Ministry personnel.
The injured policeman subsequently underwent surgery to reattach his right hand.
