KLIA Shooting Suspect Arrested. Here Are 3 Facts You Should Know About The Case
The intended victim's personal bodyguard sustained severe injuries in the incident.
By Sadho Ram — 15 Apr 2024, 04:20 PM
Early on Sunday morning, 14 April at KLIA Terminal 1, chaos erupted when a man fired two gunshots at his pregnant wife in the arrival hall
The shots fired by the suspect, identified as Hafizul Harawi, missed the intended target, identified as Farah Md Isa, and instead hit one of the two bodyguards who were guarding the woman.
One of the two bullets fired struck the personal bodyguard in the abdomen, while the other missed the woman. The bodyguard is in critical condition and is currently comatose at Cyberjaya Hospital.
The 38-year-old suspect fled the scene.
The man has since been arrested in Kelantan
The suspect was detained at 3pm in Kota Bharu today, 15 April.
"Yes, I confirm [the arrest]. The suspect was only detained at 3pm this afternoon," Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said, adding that more details would be revealed at a press conference later.
1. The incident stemmed from a domestic dispute, not a terror threat
According to Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, the cause behind the incident was a personal issue between the estranged couple and was not related to any terrorist activities.
He assured members of the public that the situation at KLIA 1 was under control.
"Investigations found that the suspect had intended to shoot his wife, who was waiting for the arrival of an Umrah group," Bernama quoted Hussein as saying yesterday.
The couple also owns a travel agency together.
He said that the motive of the incident is still under investigation and the case is being investigated as an attempted murder under section 307 of the Penal Code and the Firearms Act.
2. The suspect has a history of violence
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said that Hafizul has several past criminal records, including impersonating a civil servant.
The suspect's wife, Farah, had lodged multiple police reports against him in 2016 and the latest in December 2023.
Shuhaily added that Farah then decided to hire bodyguards to protect her from her husband.
The estranged couple is in the midst of divorce proceedings.
Bukit Aman CID director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain displaying the suspect's photo.
Image via The Edge3. The suspect used a semi-automatic 9mm pistol in the attack
It is believed that the gun was acquired from a neighbouring country.
According to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, the suspect unlawfully possessed the weapon and is believed to have obtained it from a neighbouring country.
He said the cartridges recovered from the scene were determined to be from a .380 calibre firearm.
After he fired the shots, the suspect was seen placing his gun back into his bag and fleeing.
Security measures at KLIA Terminal 1 will be reviewed
"Bukit Aman is viewing this incident seriously as it occurred at the country's entry point [...] therefore, the existing security measures will be reviewed thoroughly.
"We will sit down and review the security arrangement," Mohd Shuhaily said during a press conference.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
Image via New Straits Times