Residents at Boon Lay Drive were shocked when a man suddenly appeared with three knives and attacked a group who were singing downstairs, leaving one person injured and blood seen at the scene. Police officers armed with weapons arrived quickly to investigate.
The incident happened on Saturday (December 6) at about 6:55pm, at the void deck of Block 188 Boon Lay Drive.
Reporters from Shin Min Daily News rushed down after receiving a tip-off and later managed to speak with the injured man’s friends.
One of the residents, Latifah (transliteration), shared that she was sitting with a few friendly neighbours at the corridor behind the first-floor units. They were resting, drinking, and singing karaoke. Nearby, a tall man and his female companion were waiting for a car.
“Someone noticed he kept staring at us, but we did not know him at all, so we did not think much of it,” said the 62-year-old.
Latifah explained that the man left for about 10 minutes before returning. This time, he was holding knives in both hands and immediately started shouting at them.
“He held two knives in his left hand and a cleaver in his right hand, and questioned my four male friends. I saw he was getting more and more agitated, so I kept trying to calm him down. Who knew he would suddenly swing the knife at my friend?”
She recalled that her friend, Lan Li (transliteration), was stabbed in the back and quickly grabbed a plastic chair to block the attacker. But in the chaos, his left forearm and forehead were also slashed, and his clothes became soaked with blood.
“I immediately called the police and used tissues to help press down on his wounds,” she added.
Another resident, Danny, who works as a private-hire driver, said he quickly picked up a laundry pole nearby to defend himself and even chased after the attacker. But once the man heard them calling the police, he dropped the knives and ran.
“Soon after that, the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force arrived. Paramedics treated Lan Li and sent him to the hospital. His condition is now stable, and his wounds required a few stitches,” he shared.
According to information received by Shin Min Daily News, the attacker ran away unsteadily, passed through several blocks, and eventually disappeared near Block 238, about 550 metres away.
The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force confirmed the case. Police said they received multiple calls for help and found an injured 58-year-old man at the void deck. He was conscious when taken to the hospital.
A spokesperson added that with further investigation, police have identified a 32-year-old male suspect and are looking for him.
Police also recovered two knives and a cleaver at the scene as evidence. Investigations are ongoing.
The Civil Defence Force said one person was taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
