Man shot after attacking police officers with improvised flamethrower; to be charged with attempted murder

SINGAPORE: A 42-year-old Singaporean man who attacked police officers at Pasir Ris Park with an improvised device that ejected flames was shot and wounded on Friday (Nov 8).
In a press release, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said they were alerted to an incident of a woman sitting on the ledge at the top of a tower in Pasir Ris Park at about 6am.
On arrival, the responding officers did not see anyone at the tower. As they searched the vicinity, the officers saw a man at a nearby hut. 
“When the officers approached, the man deployed an improvised device which ejected flames towards the officers,” said SPF.
“The officers drew their weapons and commanded him to stop and drop the improvised device.”
However, the man did not comply despite multiple warnings and continued to advance towards the officers on a boardwalk with the improvised device.
“As there was imminent threat to the safety of the officers, a 30-year-old police officer fired a shot at the man with his pistol,” said SPF.
“The man fell to the ground and was immediately arrested by the officers.”
Following a search, the officers found a knife near him. 
The man suffered puncture wounds on his left forearm and abdomen. The arresting officers rendered first aid to the man before the arrival of the Singapore Civil Defence Force. 
He was subsequently taken conscious to the hospital where he is undergoing surgery. 
As the boardwalk was “very narrow”, a 24-year-old police officer sustained abrasions during the encounter and was treated at the scene.
A total of four officers attended to the incident.
When CNA arrived at the scene at about 1.45pm, there were five police vehicles parked outside the path leading to a bird-watching tower. The path was cordoned off, with an officer standing guard.
Police believe the man to be the caller of the incident.
“This appeared to be a targeted attack against our police officers. Preliminary investigations indicate that it was likely a deliberate attempt to lure officers to harm them,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Wong.
“Our officers responded decisively according to the situation and their training. I am proud of their courage and resilience. The police stand resolute in the face of threats, and will protect the public and our officers, as we do our duty to keep Singapore safe and secure.”
According to police, the man had previously committed hurt and property offences.
He also has an outstanding warrant of arrest against him for failing to attend court for his alleged involvement in a case of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and intentional harassment. 
The improvised device which functioned like a flamethrower and the knife were seized at the scene as case exhibits. Police investigations are ongoing.
The man will be charged in court for the offence of attempted murder. 
The offence of attempted murder where hurt is caused to any person by such act carries life imprisonment and caning, or imprisonment of up to 20 years and fine or caning, or both.
In March 2022, a police officer shot a knife-wielding man at a Bendemeer housing block. He had refused to drop his weapon despite multiple warnings and being tasered three times.
A coroner later found that the officer had not been errant in his use of the gun against the man, who died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
A month before the Bendemeer incident, another knife-wielding man, who was under the influence of drugs, was shot and arrested by police outside Clementi Neighbourhood Police Centre after he attacked random passers-by and charged at officers.
He later pleaded guilty to four charges, including voluntarily causing hurt by using a cutting instrument, criminal intimidation and causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty. 
The man eventually had his jail term cut from 33 months to 27 months with the Chief Justice attributing the decision mainly to his multiple mental conditions.
Additional reporting by Raydza Rahman.
If you would like to send in information, photos or videos about something newsworthy, submit your news tips on CNA Eyewitness or on WhatsApp.