PHAYAO – In a chilling incident on Tuesday, Police report a 22-year-old man was shot by his neighbor while livestreaming a product review at his home in a village in Phayao province, Northern Thailand.
The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Mr. Jeerapong (or “Pong”), allegedly opened fire with a homemade long-barreled shotgun due to a long-standing grudge over noise from the victim’s social media broadcasts.
Police arrested the suspect hours later as he hid in a rubber plantation about 10 kilometers away from the village.
The victim was in the middle of a live broadcast at approximately 5:11 PM when the attack occurred. According to witnesses and the victim’s friend, Mr. Phupisut, who was present during the shooting, the suspect had grown increasingly hostile toward the household.
While the suspect claimed he was annoyed by the noise of the livestreaming, the victim’s family insists they were not being loud and that the victim was an active, helpful member of the local community.
Following the shooting, local authorities and the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Unit (or local provincial equivalent) were alerted. The police launched a manhunt and eventually tracked Mr. Jeerapong to a nearby rubber forest.
Despite his arrest, the suspect remained defiant, denying all charges and claiming he was away tapping rubber on a hill and heard no gunfire.
Key Evidence Found at the Scene
During a thorough search of the suspect’s property, investigators discovered critical evidence that contradicted his alibi:
- Weapon Parts: Components of a Thai-made long-barreled “cap gun” (shotgun).
- Concealment: The items were found hidden in a shoulder bag tucked behind a chicken coop near the victim’s fence.
- Recent Activity: Police noted the items appeared to have been hidden very recently.
The village headman, Mr. Nuay Obaom, provided background on the suspect, revealing that Mr. Jeerapong had been expelled from the village membership list eight years ago due to drug-related issues.
He had only recently returned to the area about six or seven months ago after working in other provinces. Since his return, he had reportedly been a constant source of trouble, often challenging local officials and firing guns into the air.
A History of Neighborhood Conflict
The conflict between the two neighbors highlights the growing tensions surrounding the “creator economy” in residential areas. While the suspect cited “noise” as his primary motivation, the village leadership and the victim’s friends paint a picture of a suspect with a history of erratic and dangerous behavior.
Khaosod reports that the suspect’s aggressive stance continued during police questioning. The investigation is ongoing as forensics teams match the found weapon parts to the injuries sustained by the victim.
Residents of the Thung Charoen village expressed relief following the arrest, noting that they had lived in fear of the suspect’s “troublemaking” since his return.
The victim is currently receiving medical treatment, and the police have vowed to prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law to ensure the safety of the village.
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