Cop faces attempted murder rap after early morning shooting

NAKHON SAWAN: A police lieutenant colonel is facing three charges — including attempted murder — after shooting a man who was trying to protect his mother in Muang district on Tuesday morning.

Pol Lt Col Pakorn Sengthong has been charged with attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and carrying a weapon without a permit.

Pol Col Kissana Phatanacharoen, the deputy police spokesman, said yesterday that he had received a report from police investigating the incident.

The shooting took place as the victim’s mother was attempting to withdraw money from an ATM in front of Krungthai Bank’s (KTB) Matulee Road branch in tambon Pak Nampho around 6.15am on Tuesday while the victim was waiting inside his car.

At that moment, a man arrived on a motorcycle and went over to talk to the woman, prompting her son to get out of his car and stand next to her.

The man initially rode away but returned about five minutes later. However, this time he walked up to the woman and told her that he was a police officer — although he was not wearing a uniform — and accused her of illegally lending money.

The woman’s son, who was still standing nearby, asked the man to show his police ID but he refused.

The officer told the woman that he would call for backup and grabbed her arm. This riled her son who then punched him to the ground.

During the ensuing fight, which was recorded on video, a gunshot was fired and the son was wounded. After receiving treatment at a hospital, he filed a complaint with the local police.

Pol Col Kissana said police investigators had confirmed that the man involved in the incident was a police lieutenant colonel. The suspect has denied all the charges.

The deputy spokesman added that the officer’s immediate commander would set up a fact-finding panel and take the appropriate criminal and legal action against him.

On Wednesday, Pol Col Weeraphas Huaihongthong, chief of Muang police station, said that investigators had summonsed Pol Lt Col Pakorn Sengthong, attached to Provincial Police Region 6, for questioning over Tuesday’s incident.

He said the officer shot at Wisit Wongsawatpakdee, 41, the owner of a meatball business in Nakhon Sawan.

Pol Lt Col Pakorn claimed that he was also injured in the brawl and sought treatment at a hospital.

The officer arrived at the police station on Wednesday morning but immediately left upon seeing a crew of reporters.