Stressed policeman goes on shooting spree, killing officer, injuring two

Before he was shot dead in a gunfight at Muang Yala Police station, Pol Lieutenant Bunchuan Jatharawas, of Bannang Sata Police Station, was being questioned by LtColonel Danai Ratajai for his earlier shooting of a junior special operations officer, who was seriously injured.

While being escorted by Danai to a room, Bunchuan, who was not handcuffed in violation of security regulations, snatched Danai's service pistol from his holster and fired four shots at him, killing him instantly.

Bunchuan later ran and fired one shot at PolColonel Chaithat Inthanoojit, a deputy Yala provincial chief, who was about to also question him, but the lone bullet scratched his back. Chaithat survived because he jumped out of a window on the second floor, but suffered a shoulder dislocation and sustained serious injuries.

In the ensuing gunfight, Bunchuan fired three shots at Police Sr SgtMajor Piding Jehkoh but all bullets missed, Piding then returned fire at Bunchuan. Two bullets hit him on the chest while a third hit him on the head, killing him instantly.

Police Sr SgtMajor Decha Chuayiam, the special operations officer, who had been shot in the stomach and a leg by Bunchuan yesterday morning at his home, is reported to be still in critical condition.

Bannang Sata police chief Pol Colonel Somphian Eksomya said Bunchuan, a deputy crimesuppression inspector, had a good career record and was well liked by his colleagues. However, he suffered from dutyrelated stress since Friday and was away on leave. Somphian said it was being investigated why Bunchuan went to Decha's home and fired into his house at around 6.30 am yesterday.

An internal investigation is also trying to determine if any personal problems had added to Bunchuan's stress.

Danai's funeral will be held at Wat Phut in Muang

District and Bunchan's at Wat Muang.