April 27, 2007
HE was having a few drinks with friends - something he does
often.
Then the most unexpected thing happened. A man came over and
punched his face. The blow cut his lip wide open, sending blood
dripping down his clothes. This happened a few months ago.
His crime?
He had the same name as the attacker's friend's husband.
Sales engineer, Michael, 33, has seen his fair share of bar
fights.
So, it was no surprise to him when he heard that Mr Eugene Chua,
31, died from injuries yesterday after being attacked outside a bar
at Clarke Quay on Monday. The case has now been classified as
murder. (See report below.)
Michael was at a nightspot at StJames Power Station with six
friends. It was a Friday night and the regulars were winding down
after reaching there at about 10pm.
DEADLY HELLO
He said a female friend of his walked by and called him by name.
Her husband has the same name as his and Michael returned her
greeting.
That was it. Or so he thought.
At 3am, he got a nasty surprise.
He said: 'She was sitting at the next table with a group of
friends. I was with some friends at our table and we were just
chatting.
'Then one of her male friends got up, walked over to me, called my
name, and punched my face.
'All our friends were so stunned that they did nothing. I was
confused as I did not know him or what I had done to offend
him.'
He said his attacker was drunk and could hardly stand on his feet.
Bouncers threw the man out.
Michael said he later found out that his female friend had told her
friends that she was having problems with her husband.
He said: 'Her friend, who was drunk, assumed I was her husband just
because we had the same name.'
He said he did not pursue the matter. The next day, after sobering
up, her friend SMSed him to apologise and later pleaded with him
not to pursue the matter.
Michael decided to let it rest.
Married with a 11/2-year-old son, Michael said he visits nightspots
three times a week and said fights usually start after 3am after
patrons have had one glass too many.
He added: 'People get intoxicated, want to boost their ego in front
of the girls and they start a fight. So, we tend to be more alert
after 3am because people are more drunk.'
But it has not scared him off such places.
He said he and his friends used to go to one particular pub and
would occupy their regular table near the exit.
He said: 'If we see people falling off their chairs, or if things
get too rowdy, it's time to go. If anything happens, we just head
for the exit.'
But even taking these precautions may not be enough the moment
people get drunk, he said.
Michael said: 'You can't predict what will happen. No matter how
well you prepare yourself, if you are caught in the path of the
missile, too bad.'