Ex-Candidate Denies Planning Mass Shooting That Kills Two
A 42-year-old former political candidate shot and killed two people and injured two others, including his wife, in Chiang Rai Province on July 6th, denying he planned the attack.
A 42-year-old former political candidate has denied premeditation in a shooting that killed two people and seriously injured two others in Wiangkaen District, Chiang Rai Province. The suspect, identified as Krichakorn, opened fire on his wife's family in Muang Yai Subdistrict on July 6th. Two victims—Supannee, 55, the wife's sister, and Rueangsakdi, 56, a relative—died from gunshot wounds. Two others, including the suspect's wife Sunida, 52, and stepson Siraksa, 29, a special-needs child, sustained serious injuries before police apprehended the suspect in Wiangchiang Rung District.
On July 7th, authorities reported the suspect denies planning the attack, so he was not brought for questioning. Only forensic officers and Wiangkaen Police conducted additional evidence collection while neighbors and relatives helped clean the house to prepare for funeral arrangements.
The 72-year-old stepfather of Supannee and Sunida recounted that Krichakorn had been drinking heavily and attempted to call his wife. When Sunida was bathing, he hit her head with his phone until it shattered. After taking her to the hospital, she declined to file a complaint, thinking nothing serious would happen. Upon returning home, Krichakorn returned with a firearm and opened fire. Rueangsakdi attempted to calm him down, but Krichakorn fired at him immediately. Supannee died trying to protect her sister, struck by a stray bullet.
A neighbor girl reported that Sunida initially came asking for help after being assaulted, then they went to the hospital. Upon returning, she saw adults standing and talking but did not enter the room where the shooting occurred, fearing she might have become another victim.
Nil, 76, the mother of Rueangsakdi, tearfully revealed she knew nothing of family conflicts. During the shooting, she was sleeping and heard three gunshots, mistaking them for her son hitting a table. Police later informed her that her son had been killed. He had simply brought bamboo shoots to give to family members for cooking when he happened to walk in at the moment Krichakorn was shooting inside the house and was struck by a stray bullet.
Nil concluded by saying she had one question: "Why did he kill my son? What did my son do?" She forgave the perpetrator but left the matter of punishment to police.
Meanwhile, the suspect's employer arrived for questioning at Wiangkaen Police Station at 4 p.m. Further investigation revealed the perpetrator is a former ranger who exercised his rights to purchase and use the firearm. He was also a former parliamentary candidate under the Prachaniyom Party.
