Village headman arrested after crossbow dispute leaves man injured
A 45 year old man has been arrested in Lop Buri province for allegedly shooting his brother-in-law with a crossbow, leaving the victim seriously injured.
At around 2pm, yesterday, April 22, Police Colonel Supakorn Onsu-wan, superintendent of Baan Mi Police Station, questioned the suspect, identified as Phanom, a resident of Bang Phung subdistrict. Police detained Phanom at his home following the incident.
The attack occurred the previous evening, on April 21, at approximately 8pm, when 41 year old Anon, the victim, was drinking in front of his house in the same subdistrict. Phanom allegedly fired a crossbow, striking Anon in the back with a dart. The wounded man was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
According to Pol. Col. Supakorn, Phanom, who is a respected village headman, had ongoing disputes with Anon, who lives next door. The tension arose from allegations that Anon had previously harassed Phanom’s wife and 14 year old daughter during the recent Songkran festival.
Anon denied these accusations, maintaining his innocence. Phanom reportedly brandished the crossbow in a threatening manner but claimed it discharged accidentally, causing the dart to pierce Anon’s back. Legal action is being pursued against Phanom.
In his statement, Phanom explained that the weapon used was a crossbow, which is not classified as a firearm or weapon under the law, allowing people to legally possess it. He purchased the crossbow for 4,500 baht (US$135).
The crossbow dart measures 40 centimetres and is propelled by an elastic band. Phanom emphasised the weapon’s potential danger if mishandled or used carelessly, reported KhaoSod.
In similar news, a tragic hunting mishap unfolded in Uttaradit province when a man accidentally shot and killed his close friend, mistaking him for a wild boar. The incident took place in a banana grove in Mueang district on the evening of April 16.
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