The woman in her 80s was at home with her nephew, in his 40s, and his mother before an argument broke out between the mother and son at about 11am.

It is understood that the elderly woman tried to break up the fight before the man, who is believed to have been annoyed by her apparent interference, grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed her on the left side of the head.

The suspect is said to have become uncontrollable, breaking a glass door before members of the public called the police. He was then arrested.

The elderly woman was rushed to Seberang Jaya Hospital for treatment but died. Meanwhile, the suspect’s mother, in her 70s, was treated at Kepala Batas Hospital here.

Penang police chief Hamzah Ahmad confirmed the incident and said further investigations are under way.

He also said the case is being investigated for murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code and that the suspect would be brought to court tomorrow for a remand application.