Takhmod: A 16-year-old teenager was shot and killed on the side of the road in Takhmod District, Phatthalung Province. Two friends who were with him were questioned and they confessed to the crime, claiming the gun went off.

According to Thai News Agency, the incident occurred around 8 p.m., when Mr. Apirak, age 16, was found shot once in the head, lying dead on the side of the road leading into the Khlong Hua Chang Reservoir. One leg was still on his fallen motorcycle. Nearby, a .357 caliber bullet casing was discovered, which the police collected as evidence.

At the scene, Mr. Sam, 16, and Mr. Faris, 14, who were friends of the deceased, told police that they were riding their motorcycles to visit the Hua Chang Reservoir area. They claimed that Mr. Apirak’s motorcycle ran out of gas, prompting them to help tow it to a gas station before riding up to wait at the reservoir. Shortly after, they heard gunshots and returned to find Mr. Apirak shot dead.

The truth emerged when a witness informed the police that the two friends were responsible for the shooting and had discarded the weapon in front of a house. The police took both into custody, and after interrogation, both confessed to the crime but maintained that the gun went off. Mr. Sam was identified as the shooter and Mr. Faris as the driver. The police took them to the Takhmod Police Station for questioning, where they repeated their claim that the gun went off.

This morning, police continued their investigation with multidisciplinary officers and summoned the parents of the accused to acknowledge their actions and the charges. The police initially charged them with intentional murder and carrying a firearm in a public place in an urban area without a permit. Bail was denied for both individuals, and charges are being prepared against their parents, as the firearm used belonged to them.

Meanwhile, investigative police have returned to the scene to gather additional evidence and CCTV footage to establish the true cause of the incident.