17-6-2023 (SINGAPORE) A disagreement over the improper disposal of cigarette butts escalated into a violent clash at a coffee shop, involving table flipping, chair and shoe throwing, and physical altercations. As a result, two individuals were hospitalized and two were arrested.
According to The New Daily, the brawl occurred around 9 p.m. last night at Coffee Shop No. 327 on Hougang 5th Road.
The incident involved a group of regular patrons at the coffee shop and a family dining there. The dispute arose from the issue of discarded cigarette butts, leading to a physical confrontation.
One of the women involved in the altercation, Ms. Zhuo (50 years old), explained that she and her siblings had taken their 86-year-old mother to the coffee shop for the first time. They were seated in a corner of the establishment. After their meal, Ms. Zhuo and her siblings smoked cigarettes and discarded the butts in a nearby lawn.
Mr. Tan (63 years old), one of the regular patrons and a cleaner, stated that he approached them twice to advise them to dispose of the cigarette butts in the proper bin. However, they responded dismissively, suggesting that if they had any complaints, they should report it to the police. “They even taunted us, saying they had enough money to pay any fines.”
Ms. Zhuo rebutted the claim, stating that they did not provoke the other party. She mentioned that after they approached her group, someone directly flipped the table and attacked her brother. Mr. Tan countered by accusing Ms. Zhuo’s group of initiating the assault by throwing chairs and shoes at them.
When the reporters arrived at the scene last night, the police were already present. There were traces of blood on the floor of the coffee shop, and Ms. Zhuo’s sister had bloodstains on her body.
The police confirmed receiving a report and arrested two men, aged 53 and 63, for their involvement in the altercation. An investigation into the incident has been initiated.
Ms. Zhuo’s 86-year-old mother fell during the table flipping incident and sustained injuries to her waist, making it difficult for her to stand up. Ms. Zhuo’s brother also suffered injuries to his eyes, neck, and feet. Photos provided by Ms. Zhuo revealed a possible laceration on her brother’s leg and bruises on her mother’s foot.
The Civil Defense Force confirmed that three individuals suffered minor injuries. Two of them were transported to Sengkang General Hospital, while the remaining person refused medical assistance.
Both parties involved in the clash accused each other of initiating the violence. Mr. Tan claimed that he and his friends were drinking and smoking a few meters away from the coffee shop, and they had even brought a container specifically for disposing of cigarette butts. He stated that his friends kindly advised the other group against littering, but they were met with verbal abuse and even physical attacks with chairs.
He further mentioned that one of his female friends sustained a head injury and was bleeding, while another man suffered scratches on his back, feet, and hands.
