The fatal shooting of a 64-year-old man in Bendemeer on March 23 has raised questions about police procedures and the necessity of using lethal force.
In a Facebook post shared on March 26, Singapore’s Minister for Law and Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, addressed the incident and the subsequent public debate. He explained that while most people understood the police’s actions, some questioned whether the officers could have aimed to injure rather than kill. Shanmugam clarified that police are trained to target the center of the body to neutralize a threat quickly, ensuring a higher chance of success and minimizing the risk to bystanders.
The incident unfolded when the man, who was carrying a knife, was approached by police outside an HDB unit along Bendemeer Road. Despite repeated warnings, the man refused to drop his weapon. Officers attempted to subdue him with tasers, but after he continued to advance towards them, one officer fired a shot, hitting the man in the chest. He was immediately given CPR but later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The man had been wanted by the Central Narcotics Bureau and was under investigation for several criminal offenses, including assaulting a public servant. The police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
The case has sparked a broader conversation on police use of force and the balance between protecting officers and ensuring public safety.