Selangor cops cite video games in school stabbing probe

Violent video games and certain social media content may have played a role in the fatal stabbing of a female student by her schoolmate at a school on Tuesday, according to police.

NST reported Selangor police chief Shazeli Kahar saying investigators are looking into online platforms that might have shaped the suspect’s behaviour and mindset before the killing.

“We mentioned earlier that the suspect was influenced by social media. But social media is vast, so we are identifying which specific platform had the most significant influence on him.

“Video games could be one of them,” he reportedly said after a walkabout along Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang, today.

Shazeli added that the suspect’s decision to wear gloves was believed to be part of his preparations before committing the act.

“Police are examining all aspects, including motive and possible external influences that may have triggered the suspect’s actions,” he said.

According to Shazeli, investigators also found handwritten notes, allegedly attributed to the suspect, referencing terms commonly associated with gaming and internet culture, such as “Zero Day”, interpreted as a “day of attack”, and “NPC”, referring to “non-playable character”.

“We are still gathering comprehensive statements to form a conclusive finding and provide solid recommendations to the deputy public prosecutor,” he said.

Shazeli also insisted that ongoing collaboration with school administrators and the state education department is an ongoing initiative and not strictly a reaction to the tragic incident.

On Oct 14, a 14-year-old student allegedly fatally stabbed a 16-year-old student at a school in Bandar Utama, Selangor, with reports stating that unrequited love was among the angles being investigated.

Shazeli has since confirmed that the suspect in the case did not express his romantic feelings toward the victim.

The suspect has been remanded until Oct 21 to facilitate investigations.

Counselling, behavioural problems

Meanwhile, NST today reported Shazeli saying Selangor police would also work with Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department’s Sexual, Women, and Child Investigation Division (D11) if any of the students who witnessed the incident require additional counselling.

He said the suspect was also undergoing counselling for his academic performance, not for psychological help, and that the school was not aware of the teen’s behavioural problems.

“The school was aware of certain learning-related issues involving the student’s capability, but not of any behavioural or disciplinary problems that could have foretold this tragedy,” he said.

Shazeli also reportedly declined to comment on the suspect’s mental state.

“It wouldn’t be fair for me to comment on the suspect’s mental condition. Police are not psychiatric experts; that has to be evaluated by qualified specialists.

“Physically, he appears fine,” he said, adding that the suspect was also cooperating with the investigation so far.

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