Officers and police
volunteers involved in the chase are checked for gunshot residue to
determine who fired at the suspects instead of the Toyota’s tires.
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya Police and station volunteers are under investigation for
the near-fatal shooting of two men who opened fire on an officer pursuing
them for evading a South Pattaya checkpoint.
A “mystery gunshot” was being blamed for injuries to Hemrat Saworn, 25, and
Chokchai Homsombut, 32, during a June 25 police pursuit that ended on Third
Road near the Szechuan restaurant. At least one shot was responsible for
covering the inside of the truck’s cab with blood.
Maj. Gen. Khatcha Thatsart, commander of Chonburi Police Station, ordered
officers and police volunteers involved in the chase detained and checked
for gunshot residue to determine who fired at the suspects instead of the
Toyota’s tires.
The incident began around 9:30 p.m. when Hemrat and Chokchai, seeing a
checkpoint at the Soi Kophai end of Rungland Village, stopped and reversed
to prevent officers from searching their truck. About five uniformed
officers and volunteers gave pursuit to the entrance of Soi VC where one
suspect allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at the closest pursuing
officers.
In doing so, the Vios crashed into four cars. Police then opened fire,
shooting at the truck’s front tire, which caused it to crash into yet
another parked vehicle.
The gunshot didn’t stop the car, however. Police said the suspects reversed
course, hitting volunteers Khomsan Prongklom, 33, and Nattawut Sreewinij.
Both were later hospitalized.
At that point, blood spattered the inside windows of the truck as the
“mystery gunshot” stopped the suspects. Screaming in pain, both were
transported to Pattaya Memorial Hospital.
Police recovered a loaded 9mm pistol from the truck, but provincial police
supervisors ordered an immediate investigation of the actions of both the
suspects and police to ensure justice for both sides.