Committee forms to investigate fatal shooting by police officer

Following outrage from locals over the killing of drug suspect by police, an investigation panel has been set up to look into the fatal shooting.

10 police officers, acting on an arrest warrant, surrounded 31 year old Charoensak Rachpumad at a rubber plantation in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Ron Phibun district. Witnesses say Charoensak, who only had a small knife, was raising his arms to surrender when a police officer shot and killed him. The officer says Charoensak was charging at him with the knife and he fired in self-defense.

Locals were angry and around 100 of them surrounded police for a couple hours. Witnesses say the police “overrated.” Chareonsak’s family says they will press charges.

Provincial Police Chief Thamnoon Prayuenyong signed up an order to form an investigation committee. Deputy Provincial Police Chief Paisal Sangthep will chair the committee. Thamnoon says the panel will examine all the evidence and question witnesses from both sides.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post