Traffic cop aimed to shoot tyre, but hit youth - Kedah police

Police will professionally investigate the case involving a traffic officer who fired a shot which caused a man to sustain injuries in an incident at Jalan Lencong Timur in Alor Setar last Wednesday.

Kedah police chief Zainuddin Yaacob said a professional, transparent and fair investigation was vital to ensure that justice would be served to all parties involved in the mishap.

“Initial investigation found that the mishap occurred when two men on a Modenas motorcycle ran a red light in Taman Pelangi, Jalan Kuala Kedah, before they were given chase by the traffic policeman on duty in the area.

“The motorcyclist and the pillion rider, however, refused to stop and continued to ride recklessly, while running a couple of other red lights and rubbing against the policeman’s motorcycle in their bid to escape,” he said in a statement today.

Zainuddin said with the intention to stop the suspects, the police officer fired a shot at the rear tyre of their motorcycle.

“The action was taken after the duo refused to stop the motorcycle and their action threatens the safety of the police officer and the public.

“Only after they stopped, the police officer realised that the shot had hit the left arm of the pillion rider,” he said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 186 and 307 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987.

In the incident at 10.15am on Wednesday, Mohd Alif Anuar, 21, was riding pillion on the motorcycle of his 22-year-old friend Zulhilmi Azri towards their workplace in Alor Mengkudu from Kuala Kedah.

- Bernama