Two Youths Arrested for Fatal Shooting and Stabbing in Yala
Yala police arrested two youths, aged 23 and 17, within 12 hours of a fatal shooting and stabbing that killed a 19-year-old man in the city center. The attack stemmed from a two-month feud between rival youth groups in Krong Pinang district. Police seized a homemade shotgun, a folding knife, a motorcycle, and clothing worn during the crime, and have charged both suspects with murder.
Yala police announced the arrest of two suspects — one armed with a gun, the other with a knife — who ambushed and killed a 19-year-old man in the city center. The attack stemmed from a two-month feud between rival youth groups; the suspects seized the opportunity when the victim was alone and attacked him brutally.
On October 22, 2026, Pol. Col. Sakda Charoenkun, Yala Provincial Police Commander, together with Pol. Lt. Col. Ekasit Mekan, head of the provincial investigation unit, and Pol. Lt. Col. Chatree Sakdee, Mueang Yala station superintendent, announced the arrest of Mr. Rusmee, 23, and Mr. Asree, 17, both named on arrest warrants. Seized evidence included a homemade short-barreled shotgun, a silver folding knife, a gray Honda PCX motorcycle with Yala license plates, and two sets of clothing worn during the crime.
The case originated on the night of October 21 at approximately 23:40, when police received a report that assailants used a firearm and knife to attack Mr. Reeduwan, 19, until he died, in Soi Phongyuerai 1-2, Moo 2, Satheng Nok subdistrict, Mueang Yala district, Yala province.
After the incident, investigators from Mueang Yala Police Station and the provincial investigation team rushed to the scene to gather evidence and witnesses, securing court arrest warrants for both perpetrators within 12 hours.
At 12:00, a combined team from the provincial investigation unit, Mueang Yala station, and Krong Pinang station surrounded and arrested both suspects, seizing all evidence immediately.
During questioning, both suspects confessed to all charges. They admitted the motive was a long-simmering dispute between the victim's group and their own group in Krong Pinang district, dating back about two months.
On the day of the incident, while the two suspects were riding a motorcycle patrolling the area, they encountered the victim by chance in Mueang Yala jurisdiction and gave chase. When the victim jumped off his friend's motorcycle to flee, the suspects attacked violently: Mr. Asree fired one shot, hitting the victim in the back and knocking him down, before Mr. Rusmee repeatedly stabbed him with a knife until he died. They then fled separately but were soon caught by police.
Police have filed severe charges and transferred the suspects with all evidence to Mueang Yala investigators for strict legal proceedings.
Pol. Col. Sakda Charoenkun emphasized long-term prevention measures, ordering all 18 police stations across Yala province to intensify sweep operations and strictly search for and seize firearms and knives, to deny youths and perpetrators the opportunity to carry weapons into communities or cause further loss. He also urged parents to closely monitor their children and prevent them from carrying weapons, which endangers their own lives and futures as well as public safety.
