What was initially thought to be the sound of a motorcycle exhaust backfiring turned out to be gunshots that claimed a man’s life outside a fast-food restaurant here on Sunday night.
The shooting occurred at about 10.05pm while the victim was standing outside the premises. A suspect, believed to have been on a motorcycle, allegedly approached the man and fired several shots.
Despite being wounded, the victim attempted to flee towards the side of the restaurant before collapsing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A patron, who asked not to be named, said he was at a nearby premises when he heard the loud noises.
“I initially thought it was a motorcycle exhaust. Not long after that, police vehicles arrived with sirens blaring. People began running and gathering at the scene. It was shocking — this has never happened here before,” he said.
A restaurant employee, who requested anonymity, said she only learned about the incident when she reported for work the following morning.
“I’ve been working here for nine years and nothing like this has ever happened. Coming back to work today was frightening, but I still have to earn a living,” said the 53-year-old.
She added that the incident could have been even more dangerous.
“If the shooter had made a mistake, a stray bullet could have entered the restaurant and injured innocent people,” she said.
Photos and videos of the incident later circulated on social media, showing the victim lying against the exterior wall of the restaurant, with visible injuries and bloodstains on the wall nearby. At least two bullet casings were also seen on the floor.
The victim, believed to be in his late 30s, was sent to Banting Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
