Passers-by tried to distract Clementi knifeman from going after 2nd victim, helped her escape to nearby preschool

Update on Oct. 22 at 10pm: An earlier version of this article reported that both men were involved in grassroots activities. The People's Association (PA) confirmed that the deceased was a grassroots volunteer, but said that the suspect is not a member of any PA grassroots organisation. This article has been updated accordingly.

After he allegedly attacked another man with a knife at a Clementi playground, a 50-year-old man tried to go after a woman believed to be the victim's wife.

But passers-by managed to distract the assailant, allowing her to escape.

The suspect, a 50-year-old man, allegedly attacked another man, 41, with a knife and injured him. The younger man later died in hospital.

The suspect has since been arrested and will be charged for murder.

Shouting at him to stop

The alleged stabbing took place at Block 311B Clementi Avenue 4, on the evening of Oct. 21.

According to The Straits Times, the assailant arrived at the playground in a car before allegedly attacking the victim with a knife.

A woman, believed to be the victim's wife, screamed and tried to prise the suspect off her husband, but failed.

The assailant later turned his attention to the woman, and chased her around the playground with his knife as she screamed.

In an attempt to distract him, a few passers-by began to shout at the assailant, asking him to stop.

One of the passers-by, Akhil Murali, told Mothership he and another man "were trying to give her more time...to escape".

"We were asking him to stop, and don't follow her...and telling him to just leave her alone, and that we could talk," he recounted.

He added that by the time he came across the incident, the stabbing had already happened.

"People were telling me that he already stabbed someone, and that he was armed, and to be safe," he said.

Fortunately, the woman managed to escape and seek refuge in a preschool, reported ST.

The suspect was later arrested by the police.

Grassroots involvement

The victim, Winson Khoo, was involved in grassroots activities at the Trivelis Residents' Network in Clementi.

Khoo was the vice-chairman of the Trivelis Residents' Network, reported ST and Lianhe Zaobao. 

Khoo would often go door-to-door as part of his grassroots activities.

"The PA grassroots network and the Grassroots Advisor are deeply saddened by his demise," said the PA in a statement on Oct. 22.

However, the suspect reportedly "liked to argue with others", and often clashed with the deceased, some residents said.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed in response to Mothership's queries that both parties knew each other.

In a Facebook post on Oct. 21, Member of Parliament for the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Sim Ann called it a "horrific occurence".

"I have met the family members of the deceased together with our volunteers to express our condolences and offer support to them in their time of grief.

The family have asked me to convey to concerned neighbours and the public their request for privacy at this extremely difficult time."

She also thanked residents who tried to render assistance during the incident for their "public-spiritedness".

The police said in a statement on Oct. 22 that the man will be charged with murder on Oct. 23, adding that the offence carries the death penalty.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Top image from Lianhe Zaobao and Ashley Tan