24-Year-Old Shoots 16-Year-Old in the Forehead During Temple Festival, Claims Self-Defense

Police tracked down and arrested Thratep, 24, and two 18-year-old companions after a shooting incident at a temple's annual festival. The shooting occurred near the temple entrance in Ban Phet Nuea Subdistrict, Phu Khiao District, Chaiyaphum Province. A 16-year-old victim was critically wounded with a bullet to the forehead during an annual festival featuring a famous folk performance troupe. Thratep claimed he came to pick up two younger friends who had been at the event and felt threatened, unable to return home. Upon arriving at the scene and sensing tension during an argument, he fired a warning shot to clear an escape path, but the bullet accidentally hit the 16-year-old in the forehead. Police initially charged Thratep with attempted murder and weapons violations. The two younger companions were charged with unauthorized weapon possession and carrying weapons in a public space without justification.