Three people, including a 'Datuk', were killed in a shooting incident on Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in George Town, Penang this evening.

The incident was confirmed by George Town OCPD Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, according to The Star Online.

Police later gave the name of the 32-year-old 'Datuk' as Ong Teik Kwong.

Penang Criminal Investigations Department chief Zainol Samah said the shooter was Ong's own bodyguard, according to a separate report by the portal.

Police have arrested the bodyguard.

The bodyguard, who was travelling with Ong in the same car, had shot his boss and proceeded to shoot at another passenger in the vehicle who tried to flee on foot.

According to Kwong Wah Yit Poh, the bodyguard's stray bullets hit four other bystanders, killing two. 

However, the passenger who was being targeted by the bodyguard survived and was later found by a motorist.

The motorist found the passenger covered in blood, and believing that he was involved in a car accident, had given the man a lift.

According to a police report by the motorist, the  injured passenger had asked to use his mobile phone.

"When he (the passenger) was speaking on the phone, he said the bodyguard had gone crazy and 'tai lou' (boss) was dead.

"He also said the bodyguard had hit him on the head with a pistol.

"When I heard his conversation I became scared and I dropped him at a petrol station," said the motorist's police report.

The motorist said he lodged the police report as he feared for his safety.

One of the two injured bystanders included 27-year-old RTM photographer Muhamad Amirul Amin Amir.

Amirul, together with a colleague, were on the way to the Penang Fest.

He was hit by a stray bullet in the left shoulder after he stopped to see what the commotion was about.

The victims have been brought to Penang Hospital for treatment.