Police Are Trained To Fire To Stop Imminent Threats & Reduce Risk To Bystanders: Shanmugam

Knife-Wielding Man In Bendemeer Shot Dead On 23 Mar

A recent spate of knife-related crimes had shocked Singaporeans, especially when one of them resulted in a death.

The most serious of the offences involved a knife-wielding man in Bendemeer who was shot by the police and passed away in the hospital.

Some might have wondered whether it would’ve been possible for the man’s death to have been avoided.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam explained that the police officers are trained to fire at the centre of the body to stop an imminent threat.

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This shooting technique is meant to reduce risk to bystanders.

Questions over police shooting technique

In a Facebook post on Saturday (26 Mar), Mr Shanmugam noted that some had questions about the incident.

Specifically, the police’s shooting technique, and whether it would be possible for the police to “shoot to injure, rather than kill”.

The minister explained that the rationale is to stop an “imminent threat of grievous hurt or death”. Thus, the police are trained to shoot suspects at the centre of the body.

He said that aiming for the centre offers a higher probability of hitting the target.

This was ostensibly what happened during the incident on Wednesday (23 Mar), as the man suffered a gunshot wound to his chest.

In doing so, he added that the risk of innocent bystanders suffering an injury is reduced.

Man in Bendemeer ignored warning to drop knife

Mr Shanmugam said the 64-year-old man had advanced upon police officers with a knife during the incident.

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He was warned to drop the weapon but didn’t, and continued moving towards them.

The officers didn’t initially respond with force but tried using tasers on him first. Unfortunately, the man didn’t stop despite having three taser shots fired at him.

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Since the man continued to come at the officers with the knife, one officer shot him.

Man had a history of drug abuse

Mr Shanmugam also noted that the man had a history of drug abuse. He was wanted by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

Suspected drug apparatus was also found in his flat, including this suspected utensil used for drug-taking.

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Besides that, he was being investigated for other offences, including a “rash act” and voluntarily causing hurt to a police officer.

Police have a duty to protect the public

While most people understand what the police had to do in this case, it’s understandable for compassionate Singaporeans to wonder if a life could’ve been saved.

After all, a previous case of a knife-wielding man in Clementi ended with him being shot, but thankfully not fatally.

While the Bendemeer man’s demise was unfortunate, the police have a duty to protect the public, too, so kudos to them for their quick thinking.

MS News sends our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased.

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Featured image adapted from K Shanmugam Sc on Facebook.