LAMPHUN – A tense situation unfolded yesterday after police questioned a drug user, then moved to arrest a dealer who had recently left prison. The suspect shouted threats about throwing a grenade, then fired a 9 mm handgun and a homemade long gun at officers. A bullet hit the patrol section chief, yet he returned fire and fatally stopped the shooter inside a house in a longan orchard.
Pol Col Raksit Kaewchaiya, superintendent of Li Police Station, led an investigation after arresting a meth user. During questioning, the user admitted buying meth pills from Somsak, 56, a resident of Li subdistrict, Li district, Lamphun. Records showed he had past drug cases and had only just been released. He was believed to be staying in a longan orchard.
The investigators requested support from patrol and suppression units, then moved in to search the target area. They found the suspect cutting grass. He ran to a house in the orchard, then opened fire with a 9 mm handgun and a homemade rifle, while yelling not to come closer because he had a grenade ready to throw.
As Pol Lt Col Satawat Majaiwong, patrol section chief, prepared a push to the house, the suspect fired several more rounds. A shot struck Pol Lt Col Satawat above the right knee, knocking him down. He fired back at close range and neutralized the suspect, who died at the scene. Officers rushed Pol Lt Col Satawat to the local Hospital, then transferred him to Lamphun Hospital.
Police searched the house and found a homemade 9 mm pistol with ammunition, as well as a homemade long gun and more rounds. They also seized meth pills in blue packets, over 1,500 tablets in total. Relevant units were notified to process the scene, and rescue teams from Li Rescue Association transported the body to the forensic unit at Lamphun Hospital.
