The Singapore Police Force updated its statement on facts surrounding fatal shooting of a driver who broke through a police checkpoint, which was in place due to the high-security event.
The dash through incident was reported at 4.36am on 31 May 2015 in the vicinity of Shangri-La Hotel, where the Shangri-La Dialogue was held.
The driver, Mohamed Taufik Bin Zahar, 34 was shot dead after police started shooting at the vehicle he was driving when he suddenly accelerated the vehicle towards the police officers, in the direction of Shangri-La Hotel.
The two passengers, Mohamed bin Ismail, 31 and Muhammad Syahid bin Mohamed Yasin, 26 were arrested in relation to this incident. All three men are Singaporean.
The police said that the trio was earlier stopped at a security checkpoint set up along Ardmore Park.
SPF added that the police officers responded swiftly to prevent the vehicle from approaching Shangri-la Hotel when the said vehicle crashed through the concrete barricades.
It is said that police fired at the vehicle to stop it from causing harm to others and to move forward as the car continued to drive dangerously across the security checkpoint towards the hotel despite repeated warnings to stop.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene while the two passengers were arrested. Mohamed bin Ismail sustained injuries during the incident and was conveyed to hospital conscious.
The police said that substances believed to be controlled drugs and an item, believed to be a drug-taking utensil, were found on the two men arrested. No weapons were found on the three subjects.
Police and officers from Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Explosives Defence Group (CBRE DG) searched the Singapore-registered vehicle, a red Subaru Impreza. No explosives, arms or weapons were found in the vehicle. A bag containing white powdery substances believed to contain controlled drugs was recovered in the vehicle.
It is said that the deceased was wanted for failing to attend court for an offence of criminal intimidation and has drug related antecedents as well as other criminal records.
The passenger, Mohamed bin Ismail is also wanted for drug related offences and for failing to stop at a roadblock. Both he and Muhammad Syahid bin Mohamed Yasin have drug related antecedents and criminal records.
Police have also said that investigations are still ongoing.
The two men are being investigated by Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for drug-related offences and will be charged on 1 June 2015 for a drug trafficking offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The Special Investigation Section of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the death of Mohamed Taufik bin Zahar as part of the Coroner’s Inquiry process. All shooting cases are treated seriously and will be thoroughly investigated by the Police.
Preliminary investigations indicate that this is an isolated incident and is not terrorism related.
The police clarified that security measures including vehicle and person checkpoints were put in place in the vicinity of Shangri-La Hotel due to the ongoing Shangri-La Dialogue. The measures taken are standard operating procedures to ensure that all vehicles and persons entering or approaching the secured venues are checked for dangerous weapons and explosives that could be used to harm persons attending a major security event.
Police say that it has developed a calibrated approach to public security to ensure that Singapore remains safe and secure and advised the public to comply with Police’s directions to ensure their safety and security.
