A tragic incident unfolded in the Ban Kong Sai community in tambon Thi Wang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, as a 16-year-old gunman launched a vengeful attack at a makeshift shelter, resulting in one fatality and three injuries. The motive behind this violent act appears to be linked to a previous shooting involving the assailant’s friend, according to police reports.

Upon receiving reports of the shooting at approximately 6.30am on Tuesday, authorities rushed to the scene where they discovered the lifeless body of a 23-year-old man identified as Phuwarat, who had succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head. In addition to the fatal victim, three individuals – Pat (17), Pisit (20), and Tawatchai (22) – sustained various gunshot injuries and were promptly transported to Thung Song Hospital for medical treatment.

Evidence found at the location, including 9mm bullet casings, indicated that the assailant approached the shelter with an accomplice on a motorcycle during the night. While one individual remained with the bike, the armed perpetrator entered the shelter and opened fire before fleeing the scene, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake.

During interrogations, the deceased’s girlfriend revealed that her partner had expressed concerns about a potential attack in a recent conversation, hinting at looming danger without providing specific details. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of a 16-year-old Grade 11 student, who was in possession of a 9mm pistol believed to be the weapon used in the attack.

Further scrutiny into the matter unveiled a deep-seated feud between the two factions, which had escalated from online disputes to physical confrontations involving firearms. Authorities believe that the retribution attack was a direct response to a prior shooting incident that resulted in the injury of a 15-year-old companion of the assailants.

As the investigation continues, law enforcement agencies remain on the lookout for the remaining suspect involved in the violent assault, while the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of retaliation.

The 16-year-old gunman is taken in for questioning at the Kapang police station in Nakhon Si Thammarat. (Photo: Nujaree Raekrun)