Police Shoot to Subdue Sword Wielding Man During Drug Raid in Bang Lamung

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A knife-wielding man was shot and critically injured by police during a raid in a crowded neighbourhood on the morning of November 29. The incident occurred while officers from Bang Lamung Police Station were executing a search warrant as part of a crackdown on small-scale drug dealers in the area.

 

The operation, led by Police Colonel Navin Sinthurat and Police Lieutenant Colonel Kornpong Sukwisit, began at 06:00 in the Nern Sai village, located in Soi Bang Lamung 31. During the raid, Police Sub-Lieutenant Saman Boonkaew encountered Mr. Prateep, 35, armed with a long samurai sword.

 

According to police reports, Mr. Prateep advanced toward Sub- Lieutenant Saman, forcing the officer to retreat. However, the officer tripped and fell to the ground. Despite warning Mr. Prateep to back away, the man continued to threaten him with the weapon. With no other option, Sub-Lieutenant Saman fired one shot, hitting Mr. Prateep in the left side of his waist. The bullet exited his wrist and went straight through his right thigh, leaving him severely injured and losing a lot of blood.

 

Emergency services from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation arrived promptly and transported Mr. Prateep to Bang Lamung Hospital.

 

Ms. Nan, 38, the injured man's sister-in-law, revealed that police, both in uniform and plain clothes, had surrounded the community. Officers attempted to enter Mr. Prateep's room to conduct a search, prompting him to warn them not to enter. Moments later, he exited the room with a sword in hand, causing two officers to flee. Sub-Lieutenant Saman, who approached afterward, tried to de-escalate the situation but was forced to shoot when Mr. Prateep refused to comply and advanced with the weapon.

 

Witnesses reported that a neighbour had attempted to intervene, shouting at officers not to shoot. However, the situation had already escalated, leading to the use of force.

 

Police Colonel Navin Sinthurat stated that forensic officers had been assigned to examine the scene, including testing the officer's firearm and collecting evidence. He emphasised that Sub-Lieutenant Saman acted in self-defense and in the line of duty to protect himself from immediate harm. The police assured that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly and in accordance with the law.

 

The case remains under investigation, with further questioning of witnesses and forensic analysis of the evidence.

 

-- 2024-11-30