Bangkok: A shooting incident involving teenagers resulted in one death and two injuries near the entrance of Soi Ekachai 110 in Bang Bon district. The conflict stemmed from a dispute over toasts at a birthday party, which escalated into a planned confrontation and a gunfight.
According to Thai News Agency, at 5:30 AM, Police Lieutenant Sarawut Sukhsawat, Deputy Investigating Officer of Bang Bon Police Station, received a report of a shooting incident at the entrance of Soi Ekachai 110, Ekachai Road, Bang Bon Nuea Subdistrict, Bang Bon District, Bangkok. He proceeded to the scene with volunteers from the Por Teck Tung Foundation.
At the scene, two people were found injured by gunfire: Mr. Suphachok, 21, and a 16-year-old juvenile. They were rushed to Samut Sakhon Hospital, where Mr. Suphachok later died. Another injured person, Mr. Kritsada, 35, was taken to Bangpakok 8 Hospital by his friends. A motorcycle with bloodstains was found at the scene, along with one spent shotgun shell.
Initial reports indicate that prior to the incident, the injured group was holding a birthday party in the Pho Chae area, which the perpetrator also attended. While drinking alcohol, one of the injured approached Mr. Nat to clink glasses, but he refused, leading to an argument before they separated. Subsequently, both sides challenged each other via social media and arranged to settle the dispute at Soi Ekachai 110. In the early morning hours, the injured group arrived at the meeting point on motorcycles, and the perpetrator's group used a shotgun to fire at the opposing group, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
Following the incident, police arrested Mr. Big, the shooter, and Mr. Nat, the accomplice, at Mr. Nat's residence in Soi Ekachai 110. They also seized the 12-gauge shotgun, or "Ebo," used in the crime.
Reporters asked Mr. Nat if he knew the injured and deceased. Mr. Nat replied that he did not know them and that the reason for the shooting was a dispute. He was then taken into custody and taken to the interrogation room at Bang Bon Police Station.
During questioning, the two suspects confessed that before the incident, a younger acquaintance of Mr. Nat attended the birthday party of the victims' group because they knew people in the group. While drinking, they asked to clink glasses, but the younger acquaintance refused, leading to an argument. Later, another younger acquaintance in the group informed Mr. Nat and Mr. Big, who is an older acquaintance. This led to a challenge being issued to the victims' group via social media, culminating in a meeting at the scene of the incident, at the entrance of Soi Ekachai 110. Upon arrival, the other party brandished a knife as if to attack, prompting the suspects to use a firearm. They confessed to committing the crime but claimed they did not intend to cause any fatalities. They also stated that the firearm used in the incident was purchased from a friend for 4,000 baht, who is already in prison.
Initially, officers are in the process of gathering evidence, questioning the perpetrators, and reviewing CCTV footage to prosecute both suspects according to the law.