Police officer accidentally shoots colleague at Bangkok police station

A police officer accidentally shot and injured his colleague during a training session at Huay Kwang Police Station in Bangkok yesterday.

The deputy superintendent of the station, Kritthin Phacharathanaboon, spoke to the media today to calm public concerns that the shooting was not a result of a disagreement between the two officers.

Krittin said the shooting was an accident that happened during a patrol police officer training drill at 3.30pm yesterday.

Krittin reported that the patrol police held a meeting to prepare for their daily duties, and then went outside to inspect their firearms to be prepared for any emergency.

During the weapons check, a police sergeant, who worked as a prevention and suppression inspector, accidentally discharged his 9mm SIG Sauer P320 pistol, causing the bullet to ricochet off the floor and hit another police officer in the thumb and index finger of his right hand.

The victim, a police lieutenant colonel who served in the same department, sustained minor injuries and was promptly transported to the hospital.

Krittin said that the gunman had already apologised to the victim and they understood the situation was an accident. Krittin emphasised that the shooting was an unfortunate incident and said he has encouraged all of his officers to be more careful to avoid a similar scenario in the future.

Many Thai netizens expressed their opinions on the news saying this year was not a good start to the year for Huay Kwang Police Station after six police officers were imprisoned following the money extortion scandal uncovered by Taiwanese actress An Yu-Qing or Charlene An.

According to the latest update reported on Thairath, the six outlaw police officers are imprisoned at the Bangkok Remand Prison, and their bail requests have been denied by the Court.

The case is still under investigation and the punishment against the suspect officers will be officially announced at a later date.