Malaysia gun violence: 22-year-old woman shot while waiting at traffic lights

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A woman was shot by unidentified gunmen while waiting at a traffic light in northeastern Malaysia, local media reported on Saturday.

The woman, identified as Nurul Atikah Sidek, was driving alone in the town of Kota Bharu.

The 22-year-old was stopped at a red light when four men riding two motorcycles approached the driver’s side of her vehicle from behind.

One of the men opened fire, firing five shots at her car.

“The four fled towards Bachok,” said a local police official cited by Malaysia’s New Straits Times, referring to a Malaysian town 25 kilometres east of Kota Bharu.

Local police suspect the shooting may have been a case of a mistaken identity.

“Based on initial investigations, the victim has no enemies,” said the official. “There is a possibility that the assailants had hit the wrong target.”

Sidek was not hit, but was injured by debris and suffered cuts to her right hand, nose and right cheek.

“Five bullet marks were found on the car, two on the driver’s side window, one on the door and two on the windscreen on the driver’s side,” said a statement by police, according to a report by The Star Online.

Sidek was taken to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition.