GEORGE TOWN, Oct 9 — A shooting incident yesterday that left a man in critical condition was believed to be a fight between two prominent gangs in the state, state police chief Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi said today.
According to Abdul Rahim, the police believed three men from the notorious 08 gangs were involved in the incident.
The 35-year-old victim, who was shot twice in the back at about 9am yesterday at Jalan Perusahaan Sungai Lokan, is believed to be from the rival 04 gang.
“We believe the motive behind the shooting was revenge and a fight between the 04 and 08 gangs,” he told reporters this morning.
Abdul Rahim also confirmed that the victim was found handcuffed, with the handcuffs believed to be owned by the three suspects.
“It is not police handcuffs as all police handcuffs are gazetted with numbers and he was restrained with unnumbered handcuffs that come from Thailand,” he said.
The victim, who is currently in a stable condition at the hospital, also has previous police records for robbery and murder.
The case will be investigated under 304 of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
On gang-related activities in the state, Abdul Rahim said the police are actively tracking down these gangs, especially the 24 and Siu Sam Ong gangs.
“We are tracing suspects from Siu Sam Ong to assist in investigations into cases involving gangs demanding protection money,” he added.
Just last month, Abdul Rahim revealed that the state has about 8,000 gang members in 12 active gangs.
He said the police is closely monitoring these gangs and their activities and that they will be arrested if they break the law.
