[Summary] Police Officer Who Left Scene of 'Villa Weapon Rampage'... Incheon Police Chief Officially Apologizes

Incheon Police Chief: "Passive and Inadequate Response"
"Thorough Inspection and Investigation Will Be Conducted"
"Strict Accountability Will Be Demanded from the Employees Involved"

Apology letter posted by the Chief of Incheon Police Agency on the official website and social networking services (SNS) / Photo by Internet homepage capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] It has been confirmed that police were already on the scene when a man in his 40s, who had been involved in a noise conflict between floors, wielded a weapon against a neighboring family. However, it is known that the police officers left the scene without apprehending the suspect and left the victim behind, sparking controversy over what some are calling a 'poor response.'

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency has launched an internal investigation into whether the officers' response at the time was appropriate. Separately, the head of the Incheon Police Agency officially apologized for what he described as a "passive and inadequate response" to the incident.

◆Incheon Police Chief: "Thorough investigation will proceed regardless of the criminal investigation"

On the 18th, Song Minheon, chief of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, posted an apology on the official website and social media channels of the Incheon Police Agency, stating, "Regardless of the thorough investigation into the suspect, we will conduct a thorough internal investigation based on the facts uncovered so far."

He added, "Strict accountability will be imposed on the officers involved."

Regarding the family affected by the incident, he said, "We wish them a speedy recovery" and "We will do our best to support the victims."

◆Weapon rampage over noise conflict between floors... Two police officers joined the scene late

The incident occurred around 4:50 p.m. on the 15th at a villa in Namdong-gu, Incheon. On that day, a man in his 40s, Mr. A, went on a rampage wielding a weapon against a neighboring family of three, including Mr. B, his wife, and their daughter. As a result, Mr. B was stabbed in the neck and lost consciousness, and both his wife and daughter were stabbed in multiple parts of their bodies.

About four hours before the attack, Mr. A had a conflict with Mr. B's family over noise between floors. Following this, a 112 emergency call was made, and a team consisting of one male and one female police officer was dispatched to the villa. The police initially separated Mr. A to his residence on the 4th floor.

A man in his 40s, identified as A, who is accused of injuring three members of a neighboring family with a weapon over noise disputes between floors, is entering the Incheon District Court in Michuhol-gu, Incheon City on the afternoon of the 17th to undergo a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing). / Photo by Yonhap News

However, Mr. A went back downstairs and wielded the weapon against Mr. B's family again. During this, the female police officer who was with Mr. B's wife and daughter reportedly left the scene and ran down to the first floor, citing a request for backup.

Mr. B was talking with the other police officer on the first floor of the villa when a commotion broke out, prompting him to immediately go up to the third floor and engage in a physical struggle with Mr. A. However, the two police officers were reportedly delayed in joining the scene because the villa's main entrance door would not open.

◆Internal investigation launched on appropriateness of police response

Mr. B's family initially raised concerns about the police response at the time, claiming that the damage worsened because the officers left the crime scene.

In this regard, the internal affairs department of the Incheon Police Agency and the 112 control room are conducting a joint investigation into whether the police officers' response at the scene was appropriate.

Meanwhile, Mr. A, who went on the weapon rampage, was arrested on the 17th on charges of attempted murder and aggravated injury. He stated that he attacked Mr. B's family with a weapon because "I complained about the noise coming from the downstairs and it was noisy, and I usually had bad feelings [toward them]."