A 40-year-old man was shot and killed while having lunch at a restaurant in Taman Setia Indah on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred around noon, has sparked a police investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

According to Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat, authorities were alerted to the shooting by a resident who called the MERS 999 emergency hotline. Upon arriving at the scene, the victim was pronounced dead by medical personnel from Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI).

"Preliminary investigations identified the victim as a 40-year-old male. The police are actively investigating to identify those involved, locate witnesses, and determine the exact cause," ACP Raub said in a press statement. He added that officers are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby establishments to gather evidence.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing three consecutive loud explosions before seeing a motorcycle flee the scene. A workshop worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, "At first, I thought it was fireworks, but then I saw a man lying on the ground in front of the restaurant."

The victim was dining with friends at the time of the incident, reportedly outside the restaurant on Jalan Setia 3/2. An 11-second video of the aftermath has since gone viral on social media, showing the victim's body covered with a white canvas.

Police have urged the public to refrain from sharing the video, warning that it could lead to speculation and misunderstandings.

ACP Raub stated that the number of shots fired and the identity of the shooter are still under investigation. He also confirmed that a post-mortem examination will be conducted, with results expected on January 9.

"The Johor Baru South District Police remain committed to conducting a thorough investigation. We urge anyone with information to contact the Johor Baru South IPD hotline at 07-2182323 or approach the nearest police station," he said.

Authorities are calling for witnesses to come forward to aid in the investigation, and updates will be shared as inquiries progress.

Source: TheStar