A man was killed after being stabbed during a fight believed to have stemmed from a dispute over the sale of a “mushroom” flavoured electronic cigarette liquid at a playground in Taman Muhibbah, Merlimau, on Wednesday night.
According to Lee Robert, the incident occurred at around 9pm and involved two victims aged 30 and 26.
The 30-year-old victim suffered a stab wound to the right side of his back which penetrated his right lung, as well as bleeding injuries to the head.
He was later pronounced dead while receiving treatment at Hospital Melaka at 1.26pm on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the second victim sustained injuries including slash wounds to his right hand and ribs, along with facial scratches.
Police received a report regarding the incident on the same night before successfully arresting four male suspects aged between 20 and 35.
“Preliminary investigations found that the incident is believed to have started from a misunderstanding during the sale of the vape flavour product, which caused dissatisfaction among the suspects before they allegedly attacked the victims using a knife,” Lee Robert said in a statement.
Investigators also believe the confrontation escalated after one of the victims allegedly reprimanded and used harsh words against the suspects.
“The suspects then chased both victims and injured them using a knife, while two other suspects are believed to have assaulted the victims with their hands,” he added.
Despite their injuries, both victims reportedly managed to flee the scene in a car before seeking treatment at the Merlimau Health Clinic and were later referred to Hospital Melaka.
Police also seized several items including clothing, mobile phones, a pair of slippers and a broken knife with suspected blood stains to assist in investigations.
Background checks revealed that all four suspects have prior criminal and drug-related records, while urine screening tests found that three of them tested positive for methamphetamine.
A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted at Hospital Melaka on Friday to determine the exact cause of death.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
The incident has once again raised concerns over violence linked to illicit substances and underground vape-related activities among youths.
