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Streamer’s ex mod arrested after alleged knife attack, ‘hot water’ assault sparks tense 17-minute police standoff in Korea
A female streamer in her 20s was allegedly attacked by a former chat moderator at a restaurant in Ansan, South Korea, on September 12. Police arrested the man after a standoff in which he allegedly held the streamer by the neck with a weapon and refused repeated orders to put it down.
She suffered an injury to her neck and burns to her leg from hot water, according to police reports. More than 30 officers were sent to the restaurant after emergency calls reported a man attacking a woman. Police later said the suspect had previously managed the streamer’s chat before their relationship broke down.
Former moderator allegedly followed streamer to restaurant
The incident happened in Sangnok-gu, Ansan, at about 5:20 p.m. on September 12. Seoul Economic Daily reported that the man, who is in his 20s, had worked as a chat manager for the streamer’s broadcasts.
The two later fell out, and police said their dispute continued through insults in her broadcast chat and other channels.Police said the streamer had also looked into how to file a defamation complaint against the man and later spoke about that on a broadcast. Investigators believe he became angry after seeing the discussion. Police said he had taken a weapon to the streamer’s home that day. When she fled to a nearby restaurant, he allegedly followed her there.
Inside the restaurant, officers found the man holding the streamer by the neck with one hand and a weapon in the other. She had an abrasion on her neck and burns on her legs after hot water was allegedly poured on her. Police issued a Code Zero alert, South Korea’s highest emergency response level, after hearing that a weapon was involved and hearing the woman scream.The investigation also found that the suspect had allegedly prepared for the confrontation before reaching the restaurant.
Police said this was one reason they applied the preparation-for-murder charge. Authorities are still checking what led to the original dispute between the two, while the exact reason for their falling-out has not been established publicly. No name has been released for either person in the reports reviewed.
Police used water offer to disarm suspect
The suspect reportedly refused several orders to drop the weapon. According to SportsChosun, police tried to create an opening by offering him water.
One officer asked, “Aren’t you thirsty?” When the man moved the weapon to another hand to take the bottle, the officer knocked the weapon away. Other officers then used two Tasers and arrested him at about 5:50 p.m.One police officer was cut on the hand during the struggle and needed three stitches. Police have accused the suspect of aggravated injury, aggravated confinement and preparing to commit murder. Investigators are also considering whether attempted murder and retaliatory crime charges should be added.Police said hostage-related charges were not filed because the man allegedly did not make any demands while holding the streamer. The case remains under investigation, and the streamer’s name has not been publicly released in the reports reviewed for this story.
