Gunman Surrenders After Fatally Shooting Rival in Songkhla

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

A 30-year-old man turned himself in to police after fatally shooting a rival in front of a house in Songkhla province, claiming he acted in self-defence after fearing he would be attacked with a machete.

 

At around 07:30 on 2 March, officers from Rattaphum Police Station, Songkhla, were alerted to a fatal shooting at a residence in Moo 6, Tha Chamuang subdistrict, Rattaphum district. Police, forensic investigators, and medical personnel from Rattaphum Hospital were dispatched to the scene.

 

Upon arrival, they found the body of Mr Chamnarn 55, from Moo 12, Tha Chamuang. He had sustained four gunshot wounds to the head, torso, right arm, and hand, fired from a .38 calibre revolver. The victim lay in a pool of blood in front of the house.

 

The suspect, Mr Warayuth 30, also from Tha Chamuang, fled the scene on a motorcycle but later surrendered at Rattaphum Police Station. He confessed to the shooting and admitted to disposing of the weapon in a canal behind his house.

 

According to Mr Warayuth’s statement, he was riding his motorcycle to buy groceries when he encountered Mr Chamnarn, his long-time rival, standing outside his house. The suspect claimed he stopped to resolve their conflict, but the victim allegedly brandished a machete and attempted to strike him. Fearing for his life, Mr Warayuth said he stepped back, drew his firearm, and fired all six rounds in his revolver before fleeing home to dispose of the weapon.

 

Mr Warayuth told police that Mr Chamnarn had previously threatened him and even attempted to attack him inside his home, possibly under the influence of drugs. He had reported the earlier incident to Rattaphum Police but tensions between them continued. On the morning of the shooting, he said he only stopped to talk but panicked when Mr Chamnarn raised the machete, prompting him to fire in self-defence.

 

Local residents reported hearing multiple gunshots and, upon investigating, found Mr Warayuth standing with the gun in his hand while Mr Chamnarn lay motionless on the ground. However, they were too afraid to intervene.

 

Authorities called in a rescue diving team from the Mitraphap Samakkhi Foundation in Hat Yai and Rattaphum Rescue to search the canal where Mr Warayuth claimed to have discarded the weapon, but it has yet to be recovered.

 

Mr Warayuth has been charged with murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and carrying a firearm in public without proper authorisation.

 

-- 2025-03-03