Police: "We Did Not Excessively Inquire About the Case Details"
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] A stabbing rampage occurred at a car repair shop in Dongducheon-si, Gyeonggi-do.
Regarding the incident in which a man in his 30s wielded a weapon against employees, testimonies have emerged that the police who responded at the time were only focused on investigating the injured victims.
According to the legal community on the 22nd, the Uijeongbu District Court issued an arrest warrant the day before for a man in his 30s, Mr. A, who was charged with attempted murder, citing "risk of flight." The police applied for the arrest warrant, judging that Mr. A had the intent to kill, as he prepared the weapon at home before going to the scene.
On the afternoon of the 19th, Mr. A threatened the owner and employees by wielding a weapon at a car repair shop in Jihaeng-dong, Dongducheon-si. He is suspected of injuring the face of a male employee in his 50s, Mr. B, with the weapon during the incident.
On the morning of the incident, Mr. A had maintenance work such as an engine oil change done at the repair shop with his family. Later in the afternoon, he returned to the car center demanding a refund, claiming "I never asked for an engine oil change," and suddenly pulled out a weapon and committed the crime.
However, there have been criticisms regarding the initial police response that day. Victims testified that while they were bleeding and in need of emergency care, the police were busy asking questions to verify their identities.
According to a report by SBS on the 22nd, Mr. B, who sustained facial injuries, said, "Anyone could see I was injured and was applying pressure to my mouth area like this, but the police asked for my name and date of birth," adding, "That’s just unreasonable."
In response, a police official explained on the 23rd, "When the police arrived at the scene, the victim was applying pressure with a towel, was conscious, and able to move independently," and "It was judged that no additional first aid by the police was necessary before the arrival of the 119 emergency medical team."
He also clarified, "We only asked for personal information such as the victim’s name and date of birth," and "We did not forcibly inquire about identity or details of the incident, and since the victim did not respond, we confirmed with a nearby female colleague."
Mr. B, who suffered severe wounds to his face and neck, was transferred to a hospital where he underwent surgery lasting over six hours, and his life is reportedly not in danger. Another victim, the owner of the repair shop, Mr. C, who was also attacked by Mr. A, was diagnosed with a fractured rib and given a four-week recovery period.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
