LAHAD DATU: A 17-year-old male student was found dead in a dormitory room, believed to have been beaten by classmates in an incident at a vocational college here early this morning.
Police said the victim Muhd Nazmie Aizat Muhd Narul Azwan was found unconscious by the on-duty warden at 6.50am.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Dr Rohan Shah Ahmad said they received a report from the college director regarding the incident.
The victim was confirmed dead at the scene by the Lahad Datu Hospital personnel who were present to provide emergency treatment.
"Acting on the report, a police team from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Lahad Datu District Police Headquarters rushed to the scene.
"An investigation found that the incident occurred on the second floor of the male dormitory building and it was confirmed that a teenage male body was found lying on the floor inside a dorm room," he said in a media statement today.
He said subsequent checks revealed signs of injuries and bruises on several parts of the victim's body.
"The police identified the cause of the incident as a disagreement between the victim and other dormitory residents.
"The body was sent to the Forensic Department of the Lahad Datu Hospital for autopsy to determine the cause of death."
Police have detained 13 male students aged between 16 and 19 and seized a smart phone charging device believed to be related to the investigation of the case.
"Police have so far identified seven independent witnesses to assist in the investigation.
"The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder."
Rohan urged the public not to speculate on the case and assured that the police are conducting a thorough investigation from various angles.