Fugitive Shooting Suspect Surrenders After Rooftop Standoff

Picture courtesy of Daily News

A 43-year-old man wanted for murder in Songkhla province has surrendered to police after a dramatic five-hour standoff on the roof of his home. The suspect, identified as Mr. Suthep, had been evading capture since allegedly shooting his neighbour dead earlier this month. Officers surrounded his house in Singhanakhon district on 10 September, eventually persuading him to come down peacefully.

The incident dates back to 4 September, when Suthep reportedly used a 9mm pistol to shoot Mr. Phongsak, also 43, following a violent dispute. The shooting occurred after Suthep allegedly teased the victim’s daughter, provoking an argument. Witnesses said the quarrel escalated into a physical fight before Suthep opened fire, striking his neighbour from behind.

Phongsak suffered critical injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he later died. The Songkhla Provincial Court subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Suthep on charges of murder. He then went into hiding, avoiding police attempts to track him down until investigators discovered he had returned to his residence in Moo 5, Hua Khao subdistrict.

On 10 September, a combined team from the Songkhla Provincial Investigation Unit, Singhanakhon Police, and Region 9 Police, led by Pol Col Dusit Promsinn, moved to arrest him. When officers approached the property, Suthep fled to the roof and refused to surrender. Negotiators spent more than five hours persuading him to come down, eventually securing his compliance without further incident.

Police confirmed that no injuries occurred during the standoff and no additional violence took place. Suthep has since been taken into custody and is now awaiting prosecution under the murder charge. Authorities said the case highlights the importance of patient negotiation in high-risk operations to avoid further casualties.

Key Takeaways

• A 43-year-old murder suspect in Songkhla surrendered after a five-hour rooftop standoff.

• The case stems from a 4 September shooting following a quarrel about the victim’s daughter.

• Police negotiated his surrender without violence, and the suspect now faces prosecution.

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-09-12