GEORGE TOWN, Feb 22 — A 50-year-old woman was shot dead by a motorcycle pillion rider as she was driving from Sungai Dua towards Jalan Bukit Gambir yesterday evening.
It was learnt that Ruby Lee Poh Ai (pic), who owned a logistics company, sustained six gunshot wounds to her chest and body.
Lee was shot at about 10 times in the 5.45pm incident in Jalan Pekaka 1.
State Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Zainol Samah said two men on a motorcycle came up on the right side of her heavily-tinted BMW and the pillion rider opened fire at the victim from close range.
He said the woman, who was believed to be married, lost control of her car and hit a four-wheel drive vehicle before crashing into the culvert in front of a double-storey terrace house at Lintang Pekaka 9.
“She is not related to any Datuk Seri or involved in any secret society activities,” Zainol told reporters at the scene.
He said police would retrieve any closed circuit television recording at the crime scene.
“We do not have any possible motive for the shooting. Any assistance from the public who might have seen the incident is welcome.”
The driver of the four-wheel drive vehicle escaped unhurt.
Lee’s body was sent to Hospital Penang for a post-mortem.
The incident attracted hundreds of onlookers from the nearby housing estate.
“I heard what sounded like firecrackers and when I looked outside, I saw the white car which had crashed in front of the house,” said a man in his early 40s, who lives in a nearby flat.
Another resident, who identified himself as Lim, 39, said he was on his way to Queensbay along the same route when his wife alerted him of the incident.
“She told me she was afraid but I calmed her down,” he said.
It was the second shooting on a busy road in Penang since December. On Dec 1, businessman Datuk Ong Teik Kwong was allegedly shot dead by his bodyguard on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
Two others were killed and five were seriously hurt.
Ja’afar Halid, 37, has been charged with the murder of Ong and the two others.
