KUALA LUMPUR — Police have arrested a 71-year-old man following a shooting incident that left three people dead at a restaurant in Taman Kota Jaya, Kota Tinggi, with investigators not ruling out personal debt as a possible motive.
Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspect was detained about 200 metres from the scene at around 2pm, roughly 30 minutes after the incident occurred at 1.30pm.
Authorities also seized a shotgun believed to have been used in the attack, identified as a Benelli M/ Super bearing serial number M104817.
Initial checks found the suspect has no prior criminal record and holds a valid firearm licence. The licence, police said, was issued for agricultural purposes, specifically for protecting crops, as the suspect is a farmer with qualifying land.
The victims, two local men and one foreign woman aged between 37 and 63, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said investigations are ongoing, but stressed that there are no indications so far of links to organised crime or terrorism.
“However, based on preliminary findings, we do not rule out the possibility that the incident was driven by personal debt issues,” Ab Rahaman said in a statement.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, and police are expected to seek a remand order against the suspect at the Kota Tinggi Magistrate’s Court. — April 19, 2026