Sattahip-
A Thai police volunteer was shot to death after he tried to pull a heavily intoxicated Thai Navy officer from his flipped pickup truck in Sattahip yesterday in the early morning.
Plutaluang Police was notified of the incident at 2:15 AM near a restaurant on Sukhumvit Road in Sattahip.
Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene to find an injured man, Mr. Rittirong Yatawut, 33, who was a police volunteer. Five bullet wounds were found on his body.
The nearby restaurant’s owner, Mr Adun Chansang, 49, had also sustained an injury from a bullet wound. He had also been allegedly trying to help the man involved in the accident.
The flipped pickup was found in the middle of the road and the male driver, Jirat Katanyoo, 23 from Trang, who is reportedly a Thai navy officer and his passenger, a female who wasn’t named, were found near the pickup truck. A handgun was found near him which Jirat had dropped onto the ground after reliasing what his actions had caused. He was cooperative with police.
Rittirong was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Adun also was taken to a local hospital and was treated for his wounds, expecting to recover.
The driver, Jirat, reportedly admitted to Plutaluang Police that he was heavily drunk but claimed he was still conscious and aware of his actions. These statements were made yesterday evening as he participated in a re-enactment of the crime with officials.
He told Plutaluang police that he opened fire as he was afraid of the two older men and thought that they were coming to attack him. He later realized that they were trying to help him. According to police, he said he apologizes for the incident and feels horrible for the family. Jirat stated during the re-enactment that he is willing to accept full responsibility for his actions, according to police.
Jirat is facing charges of intent to murder, second degree homicide, brandishing a firearm in public and drunken driving. He remains in police custody and the Thai Navy has also been involved in the investigation. The case will be charged at the Chonburi Military Court, officials told the Associated Press yesterday evening.
Photos 77kaoded, article by The Pattaya News team.
