Malaysia police teen shooting, Aminulrasyid Amzah

Four Malaysian policemen are being investigated for fatally shooting a 15-year-old boy who allegedly tried to run them over with his car after being asked to stop for a check, an official said Tuesday.

Aminulrasyid Amzah was shot Monday in central Selangor state when the four patrolmen tried to stop his car, said a state police official, who declined to be named citing protocol. He said a passenger in the car escaped.

The officers tried to flag the car down after seeing Aminulrasyid and his passenger "behaving suspiciously," he said without elaborating.

However, Aminulrasyid allegedly sped away and was finally cornered by two patrol cars, said the officer. One patrolman opened fire when the teenager tried to reverse into them, he said.

One bullet, supposedly aimed at the car tires, hit Aminulrasyid, who died at the spot, the official said. The officers are being investigated for murder, which carries the mandatory death penalty, he said.

A machete, believed to have been used in robberies, was found in the car, he said.

Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar promised a thorough investigation. The four officers remain free but have been reassigned to desk duties.

"I deeply regret and am saddened with what had happened," he was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying. The official confirmed his comments.

Malaysian police frequently shoot allegedly armed suspects who they say tried to attack them. Usually, no probes are ordered. But the age of the suspect merits a probe in this case, the official said.

Local human rights group Suaram called for an independent probe into this and other cases of fatal police shootings, saying dozens of suspects had been shot in recent years without any police officers facing action.

"This is a larger problem of impunity in the police force," said John Liu, a Suaram coordinator. "It's obviously a big problem now."

- Associated Press

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