Penang shooting: Colleagues fought hours before fatal incident

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The fatal shooting at an industrial diesel storage depot in Mukim 14, Bukit Minyak, yesterday was preceded by an argument between the victim and the suspect, a witness said.

The 41-year-old victim, identified only as Ah Chuan, had worked at the premises, which comprise a storage depot, container and canteen, for nearly a decade.

The suspect, also in his 40s, had been employed there for just over a year.

A co-worker who declined to be named said the suspect had told him about the argument with the victim.

"He told me he had a fight with him (the victim). I told him to stop it and leave on his motorcycle.

"I warned him that there would be trouble if both of them stayed together," he said when met at the scene.

It was reported that the 41-year-old man was shot dead at the depot at 4.30pm yesterday.

The suspect fled the scene immediately after the shooting.

The witness said he also went home after the suspect left, following a brief conversation with the victim.

"I was shocked when my friend rang me up about 5pm to inform me that the victim had died," he said, adding that he did not know what the argument was about.

He said this was the first time the two men had fought.

"I also don't know what the problem between them was," he added.

The witness said the victim usually stayed on the premises, while the suspect returned home after work.