4 year old Thai girl accidentally shoots herself with pen gun
A four year old girl accidentally shot herself in the right leg with her father’s pen gun at a house in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok.
The child’s 16 year old cousin, Parinya Sittijun, called Phra Samut Chedi Police Station, and Por Teck Tung Foundation rescuers, for help at about 11am yesterday, April 1.
Officers arrived at the scene and found the girl, Natthida “Idea” Wongdham, lying and crying outside the house. Her stepfather, 28 year old Panawin Kanbanjong, was beside her, trying to calm her.
The rescue team provided first aid and rushed Idea to a nearby hospital. Her family members handed the .38 pen gun and a bullet used in the accidental shooting to the police.
Parinya told police that Idea and two other children, both aged eight, were playing together in the house while he was doing his homework in his bedroom. He heard a loud bang, similar to a firecracker but louder, followed by Idea’s cries.
Parinya then rushed to check on his cousin and was shocked by the accidental shooting. He sought help from his neighbours to contact the police and rescuers while also calling Idea’s stepfather.
According to Parinya, the pen gun belonged to a friend of Idea’s stepfather. The friend had left the gun with him because he had a hot temper and was worried he might commit a crime with it.
Parinya suspected that Idea and the other two children had sneaked into her parents’ bedroom to play and had found the gun.
Officers seized the gun and will conduct thorough questioning of Idea and other family members to identify the real owner of the pen gun and determine its legality.
Another man with a pen gun was arrested three weeks ago in Phuket after he threatened a taxi driver with the weapon. Officers searched him and also found crystal meth in his possession.
Cyber police officers recently launched a crackdown on the illegal gun trade and raided a suspicious condominium unit in Bangkok on Monday, March 31. Officers seized multiple firearms, including a .38 calibre pen gun and various tools related to gun crafting and usage.
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