Thai police have arrested three teenagers in connection with separate murder cases in Krabi, including a fatal shooting in which the suspects allegedly used a modified BB gun purchased online for just 7,000 baht (about RM900).
Krabi Provincial Police announced the arrests on 21 July, following investigations into two separate violent incidents involving juvenile suspects in Khlong Thom and Mueang Krabi districts.
In the first case, a 17-year-old boy was killed and three others were injured in a shooting along Namtok Chai Khlong Road in Khlong Thom on 20 July.
Following investigations by Krabi Provincial Police, Khlong Thom Police Station and Provincial Police Region 8, officers gathered sufficient evidence to obtain court-issued arrest warrants before detaining two teenage suspects.
The pair have been charged with premeditated attempted murder and offences under Thailand’s Firearms Act.
Further investigations later led police to arrest a third suspect believed to be involved in the attack. Officers also recovered two firearms and ammunition hidden underground inside a flower pot before handing all three suspects over to investigators for further legal action.
In a separate case in Krabi Yai, another teenage suspect was arrested after allegedly fatally stabbing a male victim during an altercation. The suspect was detained after police secured an arrest warrant and has since been handed over to Krabi City Police Station for prosecution.
Police investigations revealed that the firearm used in the fatal shooting was originally a BB gun purchased online for only 7,000 baht (about RM900) before being illegally modified to fire live ammunition.
Although the weapon closely resembled a standard BB gun, investigators said the modifications made it capable of causing fatal injuries.
Krabi Provincial Police Commander Major General Sukasem Nakornwilai said authorities would closely monitor youths found to be involved in violent incidents in an effort to prevent similar crimes in the future.
Police are continuing their investigations into both cases.
