Police officer shot at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

SINGAPORE — A police officer was injured from gunshots Saturday (June 20) at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) after a struggle with a suspect, who had been arrested and routinely escorted to the hospital for medical attention.    

In a statement confirming that shots were fired at KTPH at about 7.05pm, the police said that the suspect, a 24-year-old Singaporean man arrested for motor vehicle theft, had complained of chest pains.

"While inside a private room in the hospital, the man attempted to escape and struggled with the officer during which shots were fired. He was swiftly brought under control and remains in police custody," the statement said. The suspect sustained superficial injuries while the officer, 31, suffered gunshot wounds to his thumb and foot.

TODAY understands that the suspect had suddenly attacked one of the officers while his colleague stepped out of the room. The suspect is believed to have taken hold of the officer's baton and used it to beat the latter to the ground. He then snatched the officer's revolver and discharged three rounds, before he was subdued.

The officer was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where he has since undergone surgery and is currently in a stable condition, according to a separate statement from the Police on Sunday (June 21). The statement added that the incident occurred in one of the hospital’s examination rooms which are not accessible to the public. 

During a grassroots event on Sunday morning, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said that police investigations into the incident were ongoing. He said: “Any illegal discharge of firearms is a very serious offence."

An update from the Police on Sunday night confirmed the suspect will be produced in Court on Monday (June 22) at 2pm on a holding charge of Unlawful Discharge of Firearms under Section 4(1) of the Arms Offences Act Chapter 14, which carries the death penalty.