Football Player's Shooter Surrenders—Turns Out to Be Soldier, Claims Self-Defense; Police File 3 Charges, Reveal Trigger of Incident
A 20-year-old soldier shot and killed footballer Adinun, 29, after a match in Songkhla province on April 30, claiming self-defense during a dispute that escalated from the game. Police charged him with premeditated homicide and illegal fire
Following the incident where Adinun, 29, a footballer from Moo 8, Tambon Thammuang, Amphoe Thepa, Songkhla province, was fatally shot after the "Thammuang Cup" football match held during the annual sports competition of Thammuang Municipality on April 30, the latest development occurred on May 1, 2569, when military officials from the Ingkhayuth Camp in Amphoe Nongchik, Pattani province brought 20-year-old conscript Sukhanya to surrender to Pol. Col. Piyawat Kwansri, the investigating officer at Huaypling Police Station.
Initially, investigators charged the suspect with premeditated homicide, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and carrying firearms in civilian areas without authorization. The suspect claims he disposed of the firearm in a canal while fleeing. Pol. Col. Piyawat revealed that the suspect has confessed to the incident, claiming the shooting was solely in self-defense because the deceased's group was numerous. After interrogation, the suspect was transferred to military court at the 42nd Army Region Command at Camp Senanarong, Hadyai District, Songkhla.
At the victim's home in Nongsamai, Moo 8, Tambon Thammuang, relatives and friends continued paying respects amid mourning, with the family preparing to bury the body at the village cemetery. The victim's father stated his son had been a footballer for many years, but never expected this tragic outcome. He requested police prosecute the perpetrator severely.
A relative who witnessed the incident explained that tensions arose during the football match when the suspect's team collided with the victim's team. After the 0-0 match ended, both teams exchanged apologies and dispersed. Later, while watching the next match, the suspect approached the victim's nephew asking why he had fouled him, leading to a physical altercation. When the victim intervened to help his nephew, the suspect drew a firearm and shot immediately, striking the victim's right chest, left armpit, and right ankle.
