A violent attack at a shopping mall in Pasir Ris on Tuesday (Dec 19) was allegedly motivated by a business rivalry between the victims and the suspect, according to the police.
Suspect arrested within hours of attack
The police said they received a call for assistance at White Sands Shopping Centre at about 1.15pm on Tuesday. Upon arrival, they found two men, aged 35 and 36, with slash wounds. They were taken to Changi General Hospital for treatment.
The suspect, a 47-year-old man, had fled the scene before the police arrived. He was arrested within four hours of the attack at Pasir Ris Drive 6, following extensive ground enquiries and the use of police cameras.
The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect and the victims were business rivals who had a dispute over money matters. The suspect allegedly confronted the victims at the mall and attacked them with a knife.
The suspect will be charged in court on Thursday (Dec 21) with voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapon, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ jail and caning or fine.
Mall resumes operations after lockdown
The slashing incident caused a lockdown at White Sands Shopping Centre, which lasted for about an hour. Shoppers and staff were told to stay inside the mall while the police cordoned off the area.
Some witnesses said they heard screams and saw blood on the floor near a shop on the second level of the mall. They also saw the suspect running away with a knife in his hand.
The mall management said in a statement that it was cooperating with the police investigation and that the safety of its tenants and shoppers was its priority. It also said that the mall resumed normal operations after the lockdown was lifted.
Integrated development in the east
White Sands Shopping Centre is part of an integrated development in Pasir Ris, which also includes a bus interchange, an MRT station, a polyclinic, a childcare centre, and a hawker centre. The mall has about 150 shops, including a supermarket, a cinema, and a library.
The integrated development is part of the government’s plans to revitalise Pasir Ris Town, which is one of the oldest housing estates in Singapore. The plans include enhancing the town centre, improving connectivity, and providing more amenities and green spaces for residents.
Another integrated development, Pasir Ris 8, is currently under construction near White Sands Shopping Centre. The project, which is jointly developed by Allgreen Properties and Kerry Properties, comprises a 487-unit private condominium, a retail mall, and a town plaza. The project is expected to be completed by 2025.
