17-Year-Old Arrested in Soldier's Fatal Shooting

A 17-year-old gunman and his gang have been arrested for shooting dead Watcharintr, a 28-year-old soldier based at a military camp in Lahansai District, Buriram Province. A 17-year-old named A was also wounded in the attack at a residential area. On 23 September 2025 at 11:00 AM, Deputy Superintendent Rangsiwat Kangsranon of Lahansai Police Station and investigation officers arrested the suspect, identified as B, age 17, at a house in Samroang Mai Subdistrict, Lahansai District.

A search of the house uncovered one shotgun cartridge and clothing worn during the attack. Officers are pursuing additional teenagers aged 15-17, including the getaway driver and others present at the scene.

During initial questioning, the suspect claimed he organized the armed group to take revenge on behalf of his older brother, who had been shot and wounded by the victim's group a year earlier. On the night of the incident, the victim allegedly called and challenged him, prompting him to recruit eight friends in four cars and two motorcycles to go to the house. When he saw people running out of the house, he believed they were attacking him and fired his weapon. He later learned the victim was a soldier and claimed he had no intention of killing him, blaming darkness for not seeing who he was shooting at.

When asked about the gun's location, the suspect first claimed it was buried behind the house, but police found nothing. He then said it was lost. The teenager and his associates will be handed over for further investigation before criminal charges are filed.

The dead soldier's mother expressed gratitude to police for quickly apprehending the perpetrator. She denied the suspect's claim that her son and grandson had attacked the group, stating she was present and ducking for cover during the gunfire. She called for the perpetrators to face full legal consequences despite their youth, criticizing their reckless and fearless disregard for the law.