Singapore Cold-blooded Murder- Darren Ng Wei Jie was hacked to death at Downtown East

Channel NewsAsia SINGAPORE: Police have arrested four Chinese male suspects, aged between 18 and 20 years old, in connection with the murder of a youth at Downtown East in Pasir Ris on Saturday.

Nineteen-year-old Darren Ng Wei Jie was attacked by a group of persons. He sustained serious injuries and died in hospital.

In a statement issued on late Monday, police said they had followed up on all possible leads and conducted intensive round- the-clock investigations.

Officers from the Special Investigation Section of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) established the identities of the suspects aged between 18 and 20 years, and, with this lead, were able to swiftly round up the four men.

The case has been classified as murder, which carries the death penalty.

Police said investigations are still ongoing.

Mr Ng, a Republic Polytechnic student, had been attacked and hacked several times by a group of men at about 6pm on Saturday.

He and two friends were believed to have been involved in a staring incident with the group earlier.

He was sent to Changi General Hospital with injuries and subsequently died at about 10.55pm on the same day.

Director of Criminal Investigation Department Senior Assistant Commissioner Ng Boon Gay commended the police officers for their extensive investigations and speed in apprehending the suspects.

He said, "Such violent behaviour and blatant disregard for the law will not be condoned. Police will see to it that those who perpetuate violence will be dealt with to the fullest extent of our laws."

The four suspects will be charged in court on Wednesday with murder. If convicted, they face the death penalty.