BANGKOK, 9 October 2015 – The non-commissioned police officer, who recently inadvertently shot his gunfire at a 14-year-old girl in a Bangkok suburb, has claimed responsibility for his blunder.
Deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Pongsapat Phongchareon said Pol. Lnc. Cpl. Panathorn Chaiyatham, attached to a narcotics suppression unit, had admitted to have inadvertently fired at the girl, identified as Anatta Songrat, who was riding in a sedan at a scene where a group of policemen were trying to arrest suspected drug traffickers.
Pol. Lnc. Cpl. Panathorn, who showed up at Bang Chan police station, was quoting as saying he only shot out in self-defense because one of the drug suspects was apparently armed with a handgun.
However, police investigators are yet to determine whether the bullet which hit the innocent victim came from the gun used by the police officer, said the deputy police chief.
Acting Metropolitan Police commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Sanit Mahathaworn assured that justice will be paid to all parties while the case will be strictly handled under the rules of law and that his agency will take responsibility for the incident.
Meanwhile, Pol. Lnc. Cpl. Panathorn and four other police officers found at the scene have been transferred to inactive duty at the Metropolitan Police Headquarters, pending the investigation.
Pol. Lnc. Cpl. Panathorn expressed his regrets over the incident and paid his apologies to the victim’s family and confirmed that he will take responsibility for his mistake.
