SUNGAI PETANI: A suspected member of a triad organisation was shot to death in a gangland style execution in front of restaurant in Jalan Kampung Baru here today.
The man, identified as S. Murali, 36, died on the spot, having been shot at least eight times in the body and head at point blank range in broad daylight at 12.30pm.
He was killed outside a restaurant where he had gone with his wife, their child and a friend to pack their lunch.
As Murali opened the door of his multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), his wife and child still in the restaurant, he was approached by four men who opened fire from close range.
Kedah police chief Commissioner Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad said the victim was shot at a distance of about a metre and collapsed near the MPV.
"Investigations revealed that four men wearing full-face helmets and jackets approached and fired shots at the victim.
"We found eight bullet casings at the scene," he told reporters at the location.
Wan Hassan said checks revealed that the victim was wanted under the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) in connection with gang-related activities and drug trafficking.
"However, we are still investigating the motive of this shooting incident.
"So far, we are also tracking down all the suspects and will examine the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the scene to facilitate the investigation," he said.
Meanwhile, a witness who declined to be identified said he heard "explosions" that he initially thought came from firecrackers but was shocked to see a man collapse, bleeding profusely.
"After the noise, I saw people start swarming the scene and were shocked to find the victim collapsed near his vehicle as four men fled on two motorcycles," he said.