Shooting of Mohamed Taufik Zahar
| Date | May 31, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Time | 04:36 SST (30 May, 20:36 UTC) |
| Location | Anderson Road, Singapore |
| Coordinates | 1°18′34″N 103°49′37″E / 1.3095°N 103.8270°E |
| Also known as | Shangri-La Shooting |
| Deaths | Mohamed Taufik bin Zahar |
| Non-fatal injuries | Mohamed bin Ismail |
The shooting of Taufik Zahar took place around 4.36 am on 31 May 2015, near the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore where the Shangri-La Dialogue was being held; police officers fatally shot Mohamed Taufik bin Zahar, a 34-year-old logistics mover.[1] Taufik, who was driving a red Subaru Impreza and was carrying two passengers, had encountered a roadblock set up in relation to the dialogue. When instructed to open the Subaru's boot for checks, Taufik accelerated the vehicle towards police officers, crashing through concrete barriers erected by the police, and continued driving the vehicle despite repeated warnings to stop. Anticipating threats to their safety, police officers opened fire at the vehicle and shot Taufik dead through the windscreen.[2]
After the incident, the two passengers, Mohamed bin Ismail and Muhammad Syahid Mohamed Yasin, were convicted of drug offences and sentenced to 8 and 7 years' jail respectively, and 3 strokes of the cane each.[3][4]
This is the fourth police shooting in Singapore in 15 years.[5] Taufik's wife, Nassida Nasir, opined that death was disproportionate punishment for Taufik,[6] but the public was generally supportive of the actions of the police.[7] The Singapore government has also defended and commended the actions of the police officers.[8][9] A coroner's inquiry into the death of Taufik is scheduled.[8][9]
References
- ^ Cheong, Danson (4 June 2015). "Shangri-La Shooting: Wife of man shot by police says they were planning new life together". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ "Consolidated Update to Incident along Orange Grove Road" (Press release). Singapore. Public Affairs Department, Singapore Police Force. 1 June 2015. Archived from the original on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ Malinda, Kyle (15 June 2015). "Shangri-La shooting: Man sentenced to jail, caning for drug offences". Channel NewsAsia. Singapore. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ Chelvan, Vanessa (21 December 2015). "Shangri-La shooting: Man who encouraged friend to crash through police barrier jailed, caned". Channel NewsAsia. Singapore. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ Goy, Priscilla (1 June 2015). "Shangri-La shooting: Police shootings very rare in Singapore". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ "Wife of man shot dead at Police checkpoint blames SPF -- claiming that hubby was only driving without licence". Stomp. Singapore. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ "Shangri-la shooting - Most support but some question police action". Public Opinion. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ a b Mohamad Salleh, Nur Asyiqin (14 July 2015). "Shangri-La shooting: Police 'acted in line with procedure'". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ a b Teo, Chee Hean (13 July 2015). "Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on Orange Grove Road Incident by Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs" (Press release). Singapore. Ministry of Home Affairs. Archived from the original on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.