KOTA KINABALU: Police launched a manhunt for a suspect in connection with the murder of a 31-year-old man at Sulaman Sentral in Kuala Manggatal here on Saturday (Nov 14).
Kota Kinabalu Deputy OCDP Supt Syed Lot Syed Abdul Rahman, the police were tracking down a 38-year-old suspect, who is believed to be able to assist in investigations into the murder of Mohd Soberi Bakri, 31. Mohd Soberi was fatally stabbed while trying to stop a suspect from chasing a food vendor at a café near Sulaman Sentral at about 4.30am on Sunday (Nov 15). The injured victim was taken by his brother to the Likas Women and Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 6am.
The incident is believed to have stemmed from a misunderstanding between the 38-year-old suspect and the food vendor before the victim intervened.
“Any information can be channelled to the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters at 088-529 222 or to the nearest police station,” he said in a media statement Sunday (Nov 15).
Supt Syed Lot said initial investigations found that the suspect first argued with the food vendor before attempting to stab him with a foldable knife.
However, the food vendor managed to evade the attack and fled, with the suspect giving chase.
“The victim, who was at a snooker centre with a friend at the time, is believed to have tried to stop the suspect from continuing the pursuit of the food vendor.
“The suspect then allegedly obtained a meat cleaver and later faced off with the victim on a staircase on the first floor near a business premises.
“The suspect is believed to have stabbed the victim in the right side of the chest. The victim then attempted to flee but collapsed in a nearby parking area,” he said.
Supt Syed Lor said the motive for the incident is believed to have stemmed from the suspect’s dissatisfaction with the food vendor regarding business activities at the cafe.
