A yellow police tape marks the crime scene at a poultry processing plant in Jalan Batu Maung, Penang, where a family of four were shot dead at 2.45am today. ― Picture courtesy of the Penang police

GEORGE TOWN, July 13 ― A family of four, including a two-year-old boy, was shot dead in an early morning incident at a poultry processing factory on Jalan Batu Maung here today.

Penang police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Datuk Razaruddin Husain identified the victims as factory owner Toh Hock Choon, 50; his wife Tan Saw Sim, 55; and Tan’s son Chung Wah Thong. The toddler was Chung’s son.

Razaruddin told reporters at the crime scene that the incident is believed to have happened about 2.45am, following an altercation between the factory owner and another stepson aged 32.

The senior policeman believed the suspect shot the three adults first and turned on the child later when he came to check the commotion.

“We believe when he shot the three victims, the two-year-old heard the commotion and came down the stairs where he too was shot,” he said.

Malay Mail Online was able to obtain a recording of the news conference at the crime scene.

Razaruddin said the police only knows the toddler by his nickname, Ah Bee, at the moment, and are looking to find his mother who lives in George Town.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspected killer may be a drug addict and often argued with the victims.

“A CCTV recording showed the suspect rummaging through things in the factory premises before he got into an argument with his stepfather,” Razaruddin said.

“We believe he wanted to get money to get more drugs,” he added.

A total of 11 bullet casings were found at the scene, and police believe 11 shots were fired at close range.

The police have mounted a massive search for the suspect who is believed to be armed with a 9mm semi-automatic weapon.

“He is believed to have shot the victims with the semi-automatic weapon and escaped in a Toyota Hilux with the plate number PLJ 7392,” Razaruddin said.

He said patrol cars have been deployed in a massive hunt for the armed suspect and the borders have also been alerted.

He appealed to the public to come forward if they have any information on the incident or the suspect.

Editor’s note: An earlier report stated the child’s gender as female instead of male and has since been corrected. Malay Mail Online apologises for the mistake.