GEORGE TOWN: A man who attacked a police officer with a fruit knife was shot dead at Jalan Ria near the Tun Abdul Razak Complex (Komtar) here today.
In the 3.10pm incident, the assailant, T. Shanmugasundram, 41, was shot in the head and died on the spot.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Che Zaimani Che Awang said the suspect was arguing with another man when the police officer attempted to intervene.
"However, the suspect tried to attack the policeman with an 18cm-long fruit knife. The officer warned him to back off but to no avail.
"The suspect was stubborn and kept attacking the policeman, forcing the latter to open fire in self defence," he said.
Che Zaimani said investigations found that the suspect was involved in nine criminal cases and six drug-related offences.
