CHA-AM, THAILAND – The 25-year-old son of a police officer was fatally injured in a suspected accidental shooting, while another man suffered a gunshot wound to the wrist.
Gun incident reported on Sunday
The incident occurred on Sunday, 12 April, when officers from the Cha-am Police Station were informed by Cha-am Hospital about a critically injured gunshot patient. Investigators and motorcycle patrol units were dispatched to the hospital, and senior officers were also notified.
At the emergency room, police found 25-year-old Nattadanai “Dom” Keerikin, the son of a police officer, with a gunshot wound on the right side of his abdomen. The bullet remained lodged in his body, and after initial treatment he was transferred to Phra Chomklao Hospital for surgery, where he later died from his injuries.
Second man wounded in the wrist
Another man involved, 24-year-old Jiraphan “Aum” Chaelor, sustained a gunshot wound to his left wrist. According to police, he had been accompanied by two friends at the time of the incident.
When officers attempted to escort Jiraphan to identify the suspected scene of the shooting, the two companions used the confusion inside the hospital to leave the premises. Authorities were initially unable to apprehend them and continued efforts to locate and question the pair as potential witnesses.
Scene and evidence: 9mm pistol seized
Later, police took Jiraphan to a house in Village 9, Ban Hub Kapong in Khao Yai subdistrict, which was believed to be the location where the shooting had taken place. At the property, officers seized a black semi-automatic 9mm handgun and a single cartridge as evidence.
The house was treated as the suspected crime scene while investigators collected further forensic and testimonial evidence. Police said the weapon and ammunition would be examined as part of the ongoing case.
Suspect’s statement: “Could not handle it properly”
During an initial interrogation, Jiraphan told officers he had bought the firearm from a group of friends but did not know how to use it correctly.
“A shot went off into my own hand, and the bullet then struck Nattadanai, who was sitting nearby,”
said Jiraphan “Aum” Chaelor, suspect.
Police stated that his account would be checked against forensic findings and witness testimony. The search for the two men who left the hospital continued, with investigators planning to summon them for questioning.
Charges and ongoing investigation
Police filed charges against Jiraphan for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, negligent homicide and illegal use of a Category 1 narcotic substance. He remained in custody while the investigation proceeded.
Authorities said they intended to formally summon the two missing companions for interview as part of efforts to clarify the circumstances of the shooting. The case was being handled as a suspected accidental discharge with criminal charges linked to the unlawful weapon and the fatal outcome.