A DRUG-CRAZED unemployed gunman went on a shooting spree at a Chiang Rai village killing three persons including a four-year-old girl and injuring two others this afternoon (July 14), Matichon newspaper said.
Upon getting a report from Mr. Manop Boonyuenkul, headman of Pa Kia village in Tha Ko subdistrict, Mae Suai district, at 12.30 p.m. that Mr. Anucha Jabo, 26, was randomly killing villagers Pol, Lt. Gen. Piya Tawichai, head of the Provincial Police Region 5, quickly sent a strong team to apprehend the active shooter.
Upon arriving the police team found that the drug-crazed man armed with a shotgun had already killed the three persons and injured two others and it was four hours before they were finally able to catch him in a forest at the end of the village and seize his shotgun and five remaining bullets.
Villagers told police that before the shooting some children were playing near the village pavilion with a few adults being with them. The gunman who appeared frenzied and was armed with the shotgun and 50 bullets he had stolen from a former headman’s house walked to this pavilion and once there let loose a barrage of gunfire at the nearby crowd.
He then continued shooting at the villagers and when he encountered pets, such as dogs and cats, he shot them dead too.
Killed were Mr. Jala Jalor, 38, who died immediately; Mrs. Nabo Yapa, 45, who died while being taken to the hospital; and Miss Punnada (surname withheld), 4, a local kindergarten teacher’s daughter who died while being taken to the hospital.
Injured were Mrs. Lea Japue, 61, seriously so and taken to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital and Jirada Yapa, 21, who was slightly injured and has returned home.
Police said Anucha was still high when arrested and a test later showed he had consumed methamphetamine pills. He was charged with premeditate murder, attempted murder, carrying a firearm in the village, shooting in the village and consuming narcotics.
Additional investigation revealed that Anucha was jobless and regularly took amphetamines until his wife broke up with him and left. He was also violent and often hurt other people including his own mother.
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The gunman after he was arrested, top and Front Page, and scenes from the attack. Photos: Matichon
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