SEMPORNA: A fisherman was severely wounded after he was shot by a group of robbers while fishing off Pulau Mata Pahi, near Pulau Timbun Mata, near here on Sunday evening.
The 39-year-old victim, whose identity could not be identified yet from Kampung Tanjung Kapor, is said to be in critical condition and currently warded at the Tawau Hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds on his right shoulder.
District police chief DSP Firdaus Abdullah said initial police investigation revealed that the victim and six other fishermen were out fishing at Pulau Mata Pahi when he was shot by the assailants around 9pm.
“According to one of the victims’ friend, he heard gunshots being fired but could not verify where the shots came from due to darkness,” he said, adding that the distance between the friend and the victim was about 150 meters.
Firdaus said the victim was immediately taken back to Kampung Tanjung Kapor before being taken to Semporna hospital.
“The victim was then transferred to Tawau hospital for further treatment,” he said, adding that police were still investigating the case from all angles.
Firdaus added that the case had nothing to do with any terrorist activity and police believed the incident may either be a robbery or being shot by a stray bullet.
He said the case was currently being investigated under Section 3 (1) of the Firearms Act 1960 (Increased Penalty).