Shooting incident in Singapore classified as unlawful discharge of firearms: Police

Singapore Police Force on Sunday night have classified a shooting at a hospital on Saturday as unlawful discharge of firearms, which carries the death penalty.

Police said the suspect will be produced in Court on Monday. Under Section 4(1) of the Arms Offences Act Chapter 14, charge of unlawful discharge of firearms carries the death penalty.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean earlier on Sunday said the use of any firearms is taken very seriously.

The shooting incident occurred on Saturday evening when a 31- year-old policeman was shot at the Khoo Teck Puat hospital while struggling with a suspect.

The police officer had been escorting a 24-year-old Singaporean man, who had been arrested for motor vehicle theft on June 19 and was brought to the hospital after complaining of chest pains.

While inside one of the hospital's examination rooms, the suspect attempted to escape but was stopped by one of the police officers. The suspect snatched the police officer's revolver during the struggle, but the situation was brought under control swiftly, said the police.

The suspect sustained superficial injuries while the officer suffered gunshot wounds in his left thumb and right foot. The officer has undergone surgery and is currently in stable condition. Enditem