23-11-2023 (HAT YAI) A devastating incident unfolded in the Rattaphum district of this southern province on Wednesday, as a 39-year-old man shot and killed his wife, daughter, and himself, while leaving another daughter seriously injured.
The shooting took place around 5:09 pm at a residence in Khao Rak Kiat, specifically the Moo 12 village of tambon Kamphaeng Phet, according to local police.
Authorities from Rattaphum station and Forensic Science Centre 9 swiftly arrived at the scene to initiate an investigation.
Based on the preliminary police inquiry, the man responsible for the tragic act was identified as Prateep Sakaran.
On that fateful Wednesday afternoon, Prateep went to pick up his two daughters, 9-year-old Mona and 11-year-old Nada, who were students at Ban Kamphaengphet School.
Around the same time, his wife, Phannee Sakaran, a 40-year-old dentist assistant at Rattaphum Hospital, returned home on a motorcycle.
A heated argument erupted between Prateep and Phannee, escalating tensions further. During the altercation, Prateep retrieved a 9mm gun and fatally shot Phannee in the head. He then proceeded to shoot his two daughters, one after the other, also in the head, before turning the gun on himself.
By the time the officers arrived at the scene, Phannee and Mona had already succumbed to their injuries. Prateep and Nada, however, were still alive but in critical condition. Both were immediately rushed to the hospital, where Prateep later succumbed to the severe head injury. Nada remained in critical condition, fighting for her life.
Law enforcement recovered a 9mm gun at the scene, with four bullets fired and four remaining in the magazine. Additionally, three spent cartridges were discovered.
Relatives and neighbors of the family revealed that Prateep had a history of previous arrests related to alleged drug trading, and a case was still pending in court. Despite being released on bail, he was required to wear an electronic monitoring (EM) ankle bracelet.
According to sources, Prateep’s wife had expressed a desire for a divorce, which he vehemently rejected. The ongoing conflicts and disputes between them ultimately culminated in the tragic shooting incident that claimed multiple lives and left a young girl fighting for survival.
