KOTA KINABALU: A shopkeeper was shot in an attempted robbery bid at a scrap metal outlet in Menggatal yesterday.
The victim, 41, was shot in the hand in the incident.
The victim and a clerk were in the shop when three masked men - one armed with a gun, while two others were armed with knives – burst in at 3.15pm.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner M Chandra said the gunman snatched a handphone from the clerk and told the two to keep quiet before walking out of the store.
The man then re-entered the shop and fired off two warning shots.
“In a panic, the shopkeeper tried to escape but was shot in the hand,” he said, adding that they believe the man had used an air gun.
The robbers then fled in a waiting car.
Chandra said the victim was rushed to the Likas Hospital. The shop owner lodged a police report at 5.45pm.
Acting on a tip-off, police managed to track down a Perodua Myvi used by the culprits at Kampung Simpangan in Tuaran.
“Police raided a house and arrested the 20-year-old driver. He tested positive for drugs.
“We have identified his three friends, including the main suspect. They have gone into hiding and we have recorded statements from their family members,” he said, adding that police hope to make the arrests soon.