Kuala Lumpur airport shooting suspect tried to flee Malaysia by changing car plates, using fake IDs
The suspect is also believed to have obtained his firearm illegally from a neighbouring country, say Malaysian police.
The suspect who opened fire at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) arrives at Kota Bharu Magistrate Court on Apr 16, 2024. (Photo: Facebook/Bernama)
SINGAPORE: The suspect who targeted his estranged wife in a shooting at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) had attempted to flee the country, the police said on Tuesday (Apr 16).
Hafizul Harawi had used identity cards belonging to other people to register at a hotel and changed his car registration plate to avoid being detected by police after the shooting.
The 38-year-old was arrested at a private hospital in Kota Bharu at about 3pm on Monday after a brief struggle, said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain on Tuesday.
Based on his records, he is believed to have tried escaping to a neighbouring country, said the police chief, adding that the suspect had his passport, Saudi riyals, and Thai baht with him when he was arrested.
Malaysian police are also investigating if he had applied for a visa to go abroad.
"His travel records showed he made frequent trips abroad such as to Saudi Arabia and Thailand before entering Malaysia.
"There (was) indeed an attempt by the suspect to escape through the country’s border and we are still collecting more information," added the police chief.
At about 1.20am on Sunday, Hafizul allegedly opened fire at the entrance of KLIA's Terminal 1 arrival hall.
Two shots were fired towards his wife from about 3m to 4m away. A bullet hit one of her bodyguards in the abdomen while the other bullet missed her. The bodyguard is reported to be in a stable condition in hospital.
AVOIDED DETECTION
A week before the shooting, the man returned from Saudi Arabia and went to Bangkok, before re-entering Malaysia through Kelantan.
After the shooting at KLIA, the suspect drove to Kelantan but changed the car's registration plate to avoid detection, added the police.
Once there, he used another person's identity card to register with a hotel. He had four such identity cards in total.
"But based on intelligence, the police managed to arrest the man near a private hospital at about 3pm after a brief struggle," added the police chief.
He said the suspect had gone to the private hospital to collect a medical examination report.
The man is also believed to have obtained the gun illegally from a neighbouring country, the Bukit Aman CID director said.
Among the items seized were a Glock 19 pistol, a magazine containing eight bullets, a box containing 24 bullets, a Honda Civic and six mobile phones.
The police chief said the suspect had planned the shooting himself and did not have help from other people. The police previously said the suspect had a personal vendetta against his wife and that they were in the process of getting a divorce.
“After the suspect opened fire at KLIA, the man did not go anywhere else or meet any individual to ask for help, but instead continued his journey to Kelantan," he said.ÂÂ
An examination showed that the suspect's mental health is normal, he added.
Hafizul arrived at Kota Bharu Magistrate’s Court at about 8.25am on Tuesday, escorted by several police officers. He was remanded for another seven days to facilitate investigations.
The shooting sparked a nationwide manhunt and tighter policing at Malaysia's borders and states.
Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said on Monday that several improvements will be made to tighten security at KLIA.
