"Police Turn Away Even at Neck-Throat Gesture"…Family of 'Incheon Weapon Rampage' Victim Demands CCTV Release

Victims' Families "Cannot Understand Reason for Refusing to Provide CCTV"
Two Police Officers to Be Criminally Sued on the 30th Over 'Poor Response Controversy'

The victim's family of the 'Incheon stabbing rampage' incident stated in an interview with SBS that they plan to file criminal charges against two police officers who were criticized for their inadequate response during the incident. / Photo by SBS

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] The family of the victims in the so-called 'Incheon stabbing rampage' case has decided to file a criminal complaint against two police officers who were criticized for their inadequate response at the time of the incident. The family claims that "there is evidence that the police knew about the perpetrator's stabbing rampage but left the scene."

According to an SBS report on the 28th, the victim's family plans to submit a complaint against the two police officers who responded to the scene on the 30th. The family claims to have confirmed closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage that appears to show the police leaving the scene despite being aware of the perpetrator's stabbing attack.

In an interview with SBS, the family said, "When we zoomed in on the CCTV, the female officer was seen mimicking a throat-slitting gesture and screaming in distress," adding, "But then the male officer pushed the woman on the back, telling her to go downstairs, and he followed her."

In this regard, the family also posted a petition on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 25th, demanding the release of the CCTV footage from the time of the incident.

The victim's family also submitted a petition on the Blue House National Petition Board demanding the release of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the time of the incident. / Photo by Blue House National Petition Board screenshot

In the post, the family explained, "Recently, my brother-in-law saw part of the CCTV footage at the prosecutor's office. After my sister was stabbed, the female officer who witnessed the scene and was coming down heard screams and made a throat-slitting gesture toward my brother-in-law and the male officer who were running up. The male officer then turned around and pushed the female officer, and they went down together."

They continued, "Three family members suffered serious injuries, and the trauma of witnessing all family members being stabbed has ruined our lives," adding, "We don't understand why the CCTV footage is being withheld from the family. Is it for the victims or the police? What are they afraid of by not releasing it?"

According to the family, they filed an evidence preservation request to the police, courts, and Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) to disclose the full CCTV footage to understand the situation in detail, but it was reportedly rejected.

A man in his 40s, identified as A, who is accused of injuring three members of a neighboring family with a weapon over noise disputes between floors, is entering the Incheon District Court in Michuhol-gu, Incheon City, on the afternoon of the 17th of last month to undergo a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing). / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the incident occurred around 4:50 p.m. on the 15th of last month at a villa in Namdong-gu, Incheon. The suspect, a man in his 40s identified as Mr. A, went on a rampage wielding a weapon against a neighboring family of three, including Mr. B, his wife, and their daughter. Mr. B was stabbed in the neck and lost consciousness, while his wife and daughter were stabbed in multiple parts of their bodies.

At the time, a team consisting of one male and one female police officer was dispatched to the villa. However, they reportedly left the scene during the incident, sparking controversy over their inadequate response.

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency held a disciplinary committee on the 30th of last month and dismissed the two officers from the Nonhyeon Police Station in Incheon.

Police Chief Kim Chang-ryong personally apologized regarding the incident. In a response to the Blue House National Petition on the 3rd, Chief Kim stated, "This is not just an issue of individual officers or the department involved but is recognized as a structural and organizational problem," adding, "I believe the core issue is whether police officers have sufficient on-site response capabilities through proper education and training."

He continued, "The police's top priority is undoubtedly to protect the lives and safety of the people," and bowed his head, saying, "This incident is a clear failure that betrays the police's mission and reason for existence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.