Singapore – A beloved hawker in his 70s was violently pushed to the floor at a food court in East Coast, Singapore, on August 15, 2026, after he patted a young child’s head in what looked like a harmless, friendly gesture. The confrontation happened at Roxy Square, and the shocking moment has since spread across social media, sparking anger among Singaporeans and expats alike.
According to a news report, the incident was captured on CCTV and later posted by the stall Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle on its Facebook and Instagram pages.
What Happened at Roxy Square
The footage shows the elderly man moving slowly between tables, leaning on them for support. As he passed a woman dining with her young daughter, he gently patted the child’s head. The mother quickly moved to stop him. Moments later, the girl’s father, who had been at the drinks stall, rushed over.
He pointed at the elderly man and then shoved him hard to the ground, even as the uncle tried to explain himself. His family immediately rushed to help him up and guide him to a nearby seat.
The Family’s Statement
In their post, the family said the moment left them “extremely upset and concerned.” Yet the uncle himself refused to escalate things.
- He insisted he was okay and did not want to pursue the matter.
- Despite pre-existing leg and hip injuries, he is now suffering from severe back pain.
- The man who pushed him later sat down to apologize and offered him a drink, which the uncle declined.
“A drink and an apology cannot simply take away the physical pain or injuries he is experiencing,” the family wrote.
Public Reaction
The clips quickly went viral, drawing condemnation from netizens, artistes, and influencers. Local actor Noah Yap, a longtime customer of the stall, expressed his disbelief.
“He is one of the friendliest and nicest guys I know, and he wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Yap wrote. “Pushing a 70+ year old uncle to the ground for patting her head? I am appalled.”
Two clinics also stepped forward in the comments to offer support, with one providing a complimentary consultation for the uncle’s back pain.
Police Response
In reply to AsiaOne’s queries, the police confirmed that a report was lodged and that investigations are ongoing.