Nong chok: Nong Chok erupted in violence! More than 10 teenagers stormed a car repair shop and fired 21 shots, killing a 32-year-old man. An arrest warrant is being sought for one of the shooters. Initial investigations suggest the incident stemmed from challenges exchanged via Facebook.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident occurred around midnight last night. The deceased, Mr. Singto, was killed in a motorcycle repair shop on Leab Waree Road in Nong Chok District, Bangkok. Police, forensic doctors, and rescue workers inspected the scene, where the body had gunshot wounds to the head and body, totaling 21 shots. Approximately 20 spent shell casings were scattered in front of the shop.
Witnesses stated during the investigation that the deceased lived in a low-cost housing unit in U-Witthaya and was an older acquaintance of the shop owner where the incident occurred. He had visited the shop two or three times before. Prior to the incident, the deceased was sitting and talking with two younger friends inside the shop. Then, two cars pulled up on the roadside; one was a modified orange four-door pickup truck with an unknown license plate. Shortly after, a group of more than 10 teenagers approached, shouting, "Anyone not involved, stay out of it!" before opening fire on the deceased and fleeing in the two vehicles.
Authorities are preparing to seek an arrest warrant for one of the shooters in connection with a challenge issued via Facebook.
Recently, Pol. Col. Sakol Ingudomnukul, Superintendent of Nong Chok Police Station, stated that police have identified the perpetrator. Initially, a witness knew one of the suspects, and police are preparing to request an arrest warrant from the court today on charges of murder. The police are currently in the process of tracking down the suspect.
Initial investigations revealed that the perpetrators arrived in two vehicles: one orange pickup truck and one black sedan. Approximately four perpetrators got out of the vehicles. The exact number of people inside the cars is still under investigation.
Regarding firearms, initial witness statements indicate that all four perpetrators possessed weapons. Numerous spent shell casings were found at the scene, including both 9mm and shotgun shells. The exact number of rounds fired is still unknown. Forensic officers are currently collecting the spent casings.
The initial cause of the incident appears to have stemmed from an exchange of challenges via Facebook, but the specifics of these challenges are unknown as the victim's mobile phone has not yet been accessed. Police are reviewing CCTV footage to determine the escape route taken by the perpetrators. There are no CCTV cameras at the scene of the incident, and the only real-time camera inside the shop lacks memory and therefore did not record the event. Investigators are currently working to apprehend all those involved.