AN AUXILIARY police officer, found dead with a gunshot wound to
his head in a toilet in Jurong in 2010, had harboured thoughts of
ending his life prematurely, a coroner inquiry heard on
Tuesday.
Investigations into the death revealed that Aetos police
constable Lee Kong Beng, 39, owed nearly $40,000 in phone bills,
bank loans and furniture purchases.
About two weeks before the shooting, he confided in a friend
that his financial burden was so heavy he wanted to 'pop' himself.
The other man advised the officer against shooting himself. Mr Lee,
who is married with a son, had been working with security firm
Aetos since May 2008.
Colleagues said that he appeared normal during his shift at the
Tuas checkpoint from 12.30am to 3pm on May 31 2010. But while
standing in a line to return weapons to the armoury in the Aetos
office in Corporation Road, he was heard to have muttered, 'I
cannot take it any more', before heading to the toilet.
Moments later, a shot rang out. He was found lying face-up on
the floor of a toilet cubicle. Blood was pouring from a head wound
and his service revolver, a 0.38 Smith & Wesson, was clutched
in his left hand. On the suicide note found on him, he had scrawled
that he was sorry for what he had done. 'By doing so, I will no
longer bring further burden and suffering to myself,' he wrote.
In his findings, State Coroner Victor Yeo said that Mr Lee - who
had expressed suicidal intentions - died of a self-inflicted
gunshot. Although investigations did not reveal why Mr Lee was in
debt, earlier newspaper reports indicated that he was an avid
football punter.
-- ST