11-10-2024 (SINGAPORE) A tense situation unfolded at the Textile Centre on Jalan Sultan yesterday afternoon when a partially clothed man brandishing a knife was arrested by police after a brief standoff.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 3:50 pm on Tuesday, drew significant attention from shoppers and passersby, with eyewitness footage quickly circulating on social media platforms.
According to police reports, officers responded to an emergency call concerning a 56-year-old man who had armed himself with a knife inside the popular shopping complex. Upon arrival, they encountered the individual, who was clad only in underwear, waving the weapon in a threatening manner.
A video clip, lasting about a minute, captured the dramatic scene as it unfolded. In the footage, a bystander can be heard commenting that the man is a familiar figure at the centre, often seen sitting alone and engaging in apparent self-dialogue.
The situation escalated when a police officer approached the agitated man. In response, the individual extended one arm while raising the knife, prompting another officer to draw his firearm. The armed policeman then issued clear instructions for the man to relinquish his weapon and assume a seated position.
Complying with the officers’ commands, the man placed the knife on a nearby counter before kneeling. However, when he failed to fully prostrate himself as directed, four officers moved in to restrain him, bringing the standoff to a swift conclusion.
A police spokesperson, addressing queries from local media, confirmed that the man was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon. The spokesperson added that the individual was transported to hospital in a conscious state, receiving treatment for an injury believed to be self-inflicted.
