Teen accidentally shoots himself in Buriram clash
An 18 year old man from Buriram tragically died after accidentally shooting himself on a motorcycle trip to a rival’s village, intending to cause chaos with a homemade gun and a ping pong bomb. This incident occurred as the young man, referred to as A, was on a motorcycle with a friend, heading towards a rival group’s village.
As they approached, A threw a ping pong bomb, causing a commotion. In the ensuing chaos, the rival group retaliated with gunfire. Attempting to respond, A accidentally shot himself in the left thigh while dismounting the motorcycle. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries due to severe blood loss.
The unfortunate event took place yesterday, January 1 on a road in the Pakham sub-district, Buriram province. Police, led by Apisak Sangdao, are investigating the case.
Upon receiving reports from Pakham Hospital about the shooting victim, they immediately began their inquiry, finding only blood stains at the scene and no witnesses willing to come forward.
The deceased, identified as 18 year old Suphanat, resided in the Hu Thamnop area of Pakham. Medical examination revealed that the bullet severed a major artery, leading to significant blood loss.
The investigation team, while examining the road between Pakham and Nang Rong, discovered no eyewitnesses or further evidence, aside from blood traces.
Buriram shooting
A’s companion, another 20 year old man referred to as Ton, provided an account of the incident. Ton described how they rode a Honda CPX motorcycle without a license plate, with Suphanat riding pillion.
As they reached the rival group’s area, A threw a ping pong bomb towards the street in front of the enemy’s house, causing a loud explosion. The rival group retaliated with gunfire, prompting A to suggest stopping the motorcycle to return fire.
However, as A was getting off the bike, his homemade shotgun accidentally discharged, hitting his left leg. Panicked, he urged Ton to drive back home quickly.
During the ride back, A suffered severe bleeding, which they initially thought was from an external gunshot, only to realise later that it was from the accidental discharge of his weapon.
The victim’s sister, 22 year old Sasikarn Inthawong, recounted her recent experience of picking up her brother from Lam Plai Mat district, where he had been attending a funeral. She expressed her distress over the incident and left the investigation to the police, who are working to determine whether the fatal shot was the result of the rival group’s gunfire or the accidental firing of A’s homemade weapon, reported KhaoSod.
Police have confirmed that the homemade firearm used shotgun ammunition. They continue to investigate the trajectory of the bullet to ascertain the circumstances leading to the young man’s death.
