KUALA LUMPUR – A local woman died after a brutal machete attack carried out by a man in front of a premises along Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth, Penang, this afternoon.
The Seberang Perai Utara district police chief, Mohd Asri Shafie, said that in the 11:10am incident, the 42-year-old victim sustained severe injuries to the back of her neck and shoulder.
“Forensic teams and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from the Penang contingent headquarters were present at the incident site to aid in the investigation.
“During an inspection, it was discovered that a closed-circuit camera (CCTV) had recorded the incident, and there were witnesses who observed the attack.
“In this tragic incident, the victim suffered grievous injuries, having been slashed on the back of her neck and left shoulder with a machete. She was swiftly transported to Seberang Jaya Hospital but was declared dead at 11:58am,” he said in a statement.
Asri said that the police successfully tracked down and apprehended the suspect, a 29-year-old local man.
“After the attack, the suspect attempted to evade capture by jumping off the Penang Bridge but was rescued by members of the public and subsequently handed over to the police. The suspect is currently receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital,” he added.
Members of the public with any information about the case are urged to contact the investigating officer, assistant superintendent Nasrina Darus, at 04-5762222 or visit any nearby police station to assist in the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
After the attack, the suspect reportedly fled on a motorcycle, with bystanders giving chase after witnessing the incident.
However, the motorcycle was later found abandoned on the roadside near the bridge, where the suspect is believed to have jumped.
Based on a video that made the rounds on social media, the rescued man allegedly attempted another jump from a fishing boat en route to the Batu Uban Marine Police Jetty but was thwarted in his attempt. – December 19, 2023