JOHOR BAHRU: A 40-year-old woman was shot in a bid to escape the police in Taman Bayu Damai, Kota Tinggi on Tuesday night.
Johor police chief, Datuk Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd, said the incident occurred at 8pm when a police patrol team spotted a Proton Wira in the area.
Police conducted checks and found that the Wira had been involved in several criminal cases before this.
Police tried to stop the car but a man, 28, and woman in the vehicle ignored orders and tried to flee.
The man, who was behind the wheel, tried to ram the policemen.
“One of the policemen fired three shots at the direction of the car. Two of the three shots hit the woman in the back and thigh,” he said.
The car crashed, with the man fleeing on foot, leaving his wife behind.
Police sent the woman to the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) for treatment. She is now in stable condition.
Khalil said the police have launched a manhunt for the male suspect, who hails from Kampung Baru Teluk Ramunia, Kota Tinggi.
“Preliminary investigations show that the man has a criminal record for breaking and entering, as well as for drugs and vehicle theft,” he said.
A toy pistol was also found in the car, he said.
Khalil said the woman will be questioned on whether she had any ties to criminal activities.
On the shooting, Khalil said police are studying the standard operating procedures.
“Eight policemen were involved in the case. Further investigations are being conducted,” he said.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.