SINGAPORE: Five members of the public helped police subdue a man who was brandishing a helicopter and attacking people on Commonwealth Street, including the HDB lift lobby, Margaret Drive hawker center and the Park Connector.
The suspect, a 20-year-old man, will be arraigned in court on Monday on a charge of voluntary injury with a dangerous weapon, police announced on Sunday, February 4.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the man acted alone in Saturday night’s incident. Police said there were no signs suggesting terrorism.
This man was unknown to the seven attackers. He allegedly attacked them with a knife, a chopper and his bare hands.
Two men, aged 76 and 40, and a 6-year-old girl suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital unconscious. They received outpatient treatment.
Three men, aged 54, 21 and 20, and a 45-year-old woman also sustained minor injuries and refused further medical assistance.
A court order will be sought to remand the suspect to the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric evaluation.
This offense is punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, flogging, or a combination of these penalties.
It is also a crime to carry an offensive weapon in a public place without a lawful purpose. The crime carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and at least six strokes of the cane for him.
Police said Saturday at 7:05 p.m. they received a report of a man with a helicopter driving towards 301 Commonwealth Avenue.
They arrived at the scene within eight minutes of the call and, with the help of five members of the public, arrested the man approximately 400 meters away at 1 Dundee Road (the address of Queen’s Peak Condominiums), and at approximately 7:18 p.m. arrested the man.