Singapore police have identified a 40-year-old man following an incident at a coffee shop located at 50 East Coast Road on August 15, where a 73-year-old man was allegedly shoved to the ground after patting a young girl on the head. Investigations into the assault are ongoing, and authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation to allow the police to conduct investigations and establish the facts of the case.
The Incident at East Coast Road
The altercation occurred at approximately 4:40 p.m. on August 15, according to police statements released on August 16. Security camera footage shared by the family of the victim shows the 73-year-old man, who has difficulty walking and uses tables for support, passing a table where a woman and a young girl were dining. As he walked by, he patted the child’s head. The elderly man is a regular at the shop, where he would help out at the stall.
The girl’s mother immediately reached out her hands to stop him. The child’s father, who had been at a drinks stall, rushed forward to confront the elderly man. Captured on video, the confrontation escalated when the father pointed at the elderly man before shoving him roughly to the ground, even as the older man tried to explain himself. Family members who were present at the scene rushed to assist the man, who has a history of leg and hip injuries, and helped him to a seat nearby.
Family Response and Medical Concerns
Following the fall, the elderly man’s family took to the Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle Facebook and Instagram profiles to share their distress and seek information regarding the man’s identity. In their first post, they wrote: Today, an incident happened at our coffeeshop that has left our entire family extremely upset and concerned.
Despite the severity of the incident, the family noted that the elderly man initially expressed a desire to avoid further conflict. In that moment, we were angry and wanted to confront the man. But my father, despite what had just happened to him, kept telling us that he was okay and that he did not want to pursue the matter further,
the family stated. They added: That is the kind of person my father is. Even after being hurt, his first instinct was to let the matter go and not cause further trouble.
The family later confirmed that the victim is suffering from severe back pain as a result of the fall. They noted that while a man offered the victim a drink following the incident, the offer was declined, with the family stating: A drink and an apology cannot simply take away the physical pain or injuries he is experiencing.
The Confrontation and Subsequent Apology
Video footage, which was later removed from the business’s social media accounts, captured a later interaction where the two men sat at a table to discuss the event. During this conversation, the man who performed the shove apologized to the elderly man. According to posts shared by the family, the man claimed he was being overprotective of his daughter when he reacted to the head-patting gesture.
The family questioned the nature of the apology in their public updates, writing: If my father's actions were truly malicious, why did the man himself apologise afterwards? An apology doesn't automatically determine who is right or wrong, but it does show that he recognised that the situation had gone too far.
They further emphasized the disproportionate nature of the physical response, stating: Whatever your views on the initial interaction, there was still no need for things to become physical, especially towards an elderly man who already struggles to walk.
Police Investigation and Public Reaction
The case has drawn significant attention from the public, with local influencers and residents expressing strong condemnation of the assault. Local actor Noah Yap commented on the social media posts, stating: I can't even bear to watch [till the end of] the video. I have been patronising Bei-Ing for over 20 years and the uncle practically saw me grow up.
He added: He is one of the friendliest and nicest guys I know, and he wouldn't hurt a fly… I am appalled.
In response to the viral nature of the footage, the police have cautioned the public against speculation. Authorities confirmed that a report was lodged and that they have officially identified the 40-year-old man involved. Investigations are ongoing to establish the full facts of the case. While the victim’s family has expressed frustration over the physical toll of the incident, they have also acknowledged offers of support, including at least two clinics that stepped forward to offer complimentary consultations for the elderly man’s back pain.
