61-year-old man arrested after slashing at Pasir Ris mall; 3 others in hospital

SINGAPORE: A 61-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday (Dec 20) after three people were left bloodied following a slashing at Pasir Ris West Plaza.

The police said they received a call for assistance at Block 734 Pasir Ris Street 72 at about 4.50pm. 

A 53-year-old man and two women, aged 53 and 55, were conscious when taken to hospital. 

"A 61-year-old man was conveyed semi-conscious to the hospital and was subsequently arrested for voluntarily causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapon," said the police. 

"Preliminary investigations revealed that the parties involved are known to each other and were not on friendly terms. Police investigations are ongoing."

Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol Teo Chee Hean said the incident was "not random".

"It is believed that it may be related to an ongoing dispute between the parties involved in the incident ... The suspect is believed to have acted alone," he wrote in a Facebook post late on Wednesday night. 

Four people were injured in total, including the suspect. They were taken to hospital and assessed to be stable, added Mr Teo.

BLOOD STAINS, ITEMS STREWN ACROSS FLOOR

Videos of the aftermath circulated on messaging platforms, showing police officers outside Royal Regent, a store selling mobile phones and clothing items. 

A video on social media showed a woman with blood on her head and arms, holding a cloth to her face.

Another woman wearing a blood-stained T-shirt was helping a man who had a cloth wrapped around his head. The cloth was also soaked with blood.

In the video, a police officer holding a shield can be seen entering the shop. 

A Pasir Ris resident told CNA he spoke to the parents of two of the victims, whom he said were sisters and ran Royal Regent.

“Their mother was very sad and cried while telling us about what happened,” said the man who wanted to be identified as Mr Lee. 

The 75-year-old retiree added that the younger sister’s husband runs a shop in Loyang, and the alleged attacker owns a neighbouring shop. Mr Lee said the man was jealous because his business was not doing as well as his neighbour's.

Mr Lee did not witness the slashing but said he heard that the younger sister suffered more severe injuries, including a wound on her face near her eye.

When CNA arrived at the mall at around 9.20pm, at least six uniformed police officers were at the scene. Four shops were cordoned off and members of the public were told not to take pictures.

Blood stains were seen outside the shop, with items like shoes and socks strewn across the floor.

Shortly after, the police expanded the cordon and asked members of the media to leave the area.

"VERY UNUSUAL"

Mr Jhon Trazona, 38, was at Pasir Ris West Plaza at about 6pm after attending a Catholic mass nearby. He said there were a lot of police around and blood stains on the floor.

“I was afraid because this is very unusual,” he said, adding that people were crowding around the scene trying to see what happened. He did not see anyone who was injured.

A staff member at foot reflexology store Donglin told CNA that he heard a woman shout earlier, but did not see anything as he was busy at work.

Mr Simon Koh told CNA that he was at the mall for dinner when his friend alerted him to the incident. 

The 63-year-old said he noticed broken glass all over the floor and police officers told him not to take any photos.

When CNA contacted the shopping mall on Wednesday night, a representative said the incident was under investigation and declined to comment further. 

Additional reporting by Lakeisha Leo.