UDON THANI – A prominent young Thai-British rapper, widely known by his stage name “Young J” (ปีศาจเมืองอุดร), has been arrested following a targeted firearm attack at a rival’s apartment complex in Udon Thani.
On June 16, 2026, officials from the Udon Thani Provincial Police Station held a press conference to announce the arrest of 22-year-old Mr. TJ Robert (also known as Young J), alongside his two alleged accomplices: 22-year-old Mr. Natthawut Namwiset and a 16-year-old minor identified only as Mr. Popeye.
The suspects face severe charges, including premeditated attempted murder, following a drive-by shooting incident triggered by a bitter personal feud and fueled by substance abuse.
The official media release detailing the arrest and ongoing criminal proceedings can be verified directly through the local crime reporting desk at Thairath Newspaper.
The Drive-By Shooting Incident
The targeted attack took place around 9:15 PM on June 13, 2026. According to police reports, Young J—famous for his viral hit track “Sam Roi” (ซ้ำรอย), which garnered over 11 million views—arrived at a rental property in Soi Nam Khem on Thahan Road, Udon Thani. The trio arrived on a blue Honda motorcycle without a license plate.
Eyewitness accounts and security footage paint a clear picture of the confrontation:
- Young J exited the motorcycle and repeatedly shouted the victim’s nickname, “Ohm” (Mr. Thanakor Mance-son, 22), demanding he open the door.
- When Ohm refused to step outside, the 16-year-old suspect, Popeye, raised a modified blank gun and fired a shot directly into the room.
- The bullet lodged into the apartment wall.
- The suspects attempted to fire a second shot, but the firearm jammed, forcing them to flee the scene on their motorcycle.
In a bold move that drew widespread attention, Young J recorded the attack and posted the video clip directly to his social media profiles, which investigators later used to trace the suspects.
Police Raid and Arrest of Rapper
Following a swift investigation led by Pol. Col. Phatthanawong Chanphon, Superintendent of the Udon Thani Police Station, authorities tracked the group to a well-known hotel in the Udon Thani municipality.
When police raided the first-floor hotel room, they found Young J and his friends blasting loud rap music. Officers seized several pieces of key evidence matching the security footage:
- One modified blank gun capable of firing live ammunition.
- A live .380 mm round jammed inside the weapon.
- The unlicensed blue Honda motorcycle was used during the getaway.
- Distinctive clothing worn during the crime, including a bright red jacket and black trousers.
During police interrogation, Young J confessed to plotting the attack. He revealed that he and the victim, Ohm, were childhood classmates who used to produce hip-hop music together. However, their relationship collapsed in November 2025 due to professional jealousy and a deep personal betrayal involving a romantic dispute.
Young J claimed that Ohm had previously thrown an explosive device at him, which failed to detonate. Seeking revenge, Young J purchased the illegal firearm from an acquaintance for 22,000 Baht.
Furthermore, police discovered that Young J’s erratic behavior was exacerbated by severe substance abuse. The rapper admitted to mixing an unstable cocktail of narcotics to “inspire his music writing,” including:
- Ecstasy (Ya-E)
- Ketamine (Ya-K)
- Cannabis
- Antidepressants, pain relievers, and cough syrups
- Inhaling nitrous oxide (balloon gas)
Pol. Col. Phatthanawong stated that while initial rapid urine tests came back negative for methamphetamine, samples have been forwarded to the Regional Medical Sciences Center for comprehensive toxicology screening.
Rapper’s Distorted Beliefs on Fame and Prison Culture
The police chief highlighted a concerning mindset observed during the interrogation. Young J expressed a belief that going to prison would boost his career, stating that “every rapper who goes to jail comes out famous.”
Pol. Col. Phatthanawong strongly condemned this viewpoint, warning young audiences about the dangers of illegal narcotics and the romanticization of criminal behavior, noting that these chemical mixtures cause severe, irreversible neurological damage.
Young J, who possesses a psychiatric patient card from a previous incident in Nong Khai province where he brandished a knife, admitted he is now deeply stressed after learning he is being charged with attempted murder. All three suspects remain in police custody as legal proceedings move forward.
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