Man Kills Mother-in-Law Before Suicide After Four-Hour Standoff

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

A 42-year-old man shot and killed his mother-in-law before taking his own life following a four-hour police standoff at a house in Laplae district, Uttaradit province, on 15 December 2025. The incident left two people dead and prompted a major police operation involving local officers and a special response unit.

Police were alerted to the shooting at about 15.10 on 15 December at a house in Moo 6, Ban Pa Kluai, Fai Luang subdistrict. The report was received by Pol Capt Prasit Sutasut, deputy investigation officer at Laplae Police Station, who informed senior officers including Pol Maj Gen Suthep Praphakorn, commander of Uttaradit Provincial Police.

Officers arriving at the scene found a two-storey house, part concrete and part wood, with an elderly woman lying face down in a pool of blood in front of the property. Police confirmed that the suspect was still inside the house and was armed with a firearm, prompting the area to be sealed off and reinforcements to be called in. The injured woman was identified as Mrs Arune, aged 68, the suspect’s mother-in-law. She had been shot in the head and was rushed to Laplae Hospital after officers negotiated access to retrieve her from the scene. Despite emergency treatment, she later died from her injuries.

The suspect was identified as Mr Wirung aged 42, the victim’s son-in-law. He remained barricaded inside the house while police, led by Pol Col Charoen Daengruang, attempted to negotiate his surrender. Officers also brought in his father to assist with talks, but all efforts to persuade him to come out peacefully failed. After more than four hours of negotiations, a gunshot was heard from inside the house. Police entered the property and found Mr Wirung had shot himself and died at the scene.

Investigators later interviewed Mrs Lamphaen, the suspect’s wife and the victim’s daughter. She said the household consisted of five people: the suspect, herself, their two children and her mother. At the time of the shooting, she was selling goods at a market while the children were at school.

Mrs Lamphaen said she believed the motive stemmed from long-running resentment after her mother had previously filed a police complaint accusing Mr Wirung of assault. She stated that her husband worked as a casual labourer, regularly used methamphetamine and alcohol, and frequently assaulted her during arguments. Her mother often intervened to protect her and had also been assaulted, leading her to report him to police. Police said they are continuing to gather evidence to formally conclude the case, which is being recorded as a murder followed by suicide.

Key Takeaways

• A man shot his 68-year-old mother-in-law dead before killing himself in Uttaradit on 15 December 2025.

• Police attempted to negotiate for more than four hours before the suspect took his own life.

• The motive is believed to be linked to domestic violence and a previous assault complaint.

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-12-16