LAHAD DATU: A seven-year-old boy was put to death by his own father, who was believed to practise black magic.
The victim, identified as Haikal Salimar, was killed while asleep at the living room of the family’s house in Kampung Epil, Jalan Kastam Baru on Thursday night.
According to the district police chief, Superintendent Shamsudin Mat, his department received information about the incident at 9.45 pm and immediately rushed a team from the crime investigation department (CID) to the scene.
Initial investigation revealed that the victim was sleeping with his grandparent and uncle in the family’s living room when the incident took place. The victim’s grandfather told the police that before the incident, the boy’s father (the suspect) had told him that he was assailed by spirits that ordered him to drink human blood.
“The suspect then headed into the kitchen to take a knife to kill his son and drink his blood,” Shamsudin said, adding that the grandfather immediately took the knife from the suspect and called the villagers.
Several villagers immediately rushed to the house and tied the suspect. However, the victim could not be saved and died at the scene.
Shamsudin said the police have seized a knife believed to be the one used in the killing and that the victim’s body has been sent to the Lahad Datu general hospital for a post mortem.
The suspect is now remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code for seven days for further investigation.
“The incident is believed to be connected to black magic practices, and investigation is still ongoing under Section 302 of the Penal Code,” he added.