Three die in Krabi mosque shooting

12 Dec 2011

A weekend shooting at a mosque in Krabi has left three people dead and two seriously injured. A group of Muslim men were chatting outside Ban Ao Nam Mosque after prayers yesterday when they were shot at by men in ski masks.

Witnesses to the shooting said six men were talking, when the gunmen drew up in a silver-coloured Toyota Vios, got out and shot at the group. After the shooting, the assailants got back in their vehicle and fled the scene.

The bystanders found that following the shooting, the six were still alive and so they rushed them to nearby hospitals. Three of the victims succumbed to their injuries, while another two are still in Krabi Hospital where they are receiving treatment.

The other man injured in the attack, Donlorrak Khonlian, was grazed on his right arm by one of the bullets. After having the wound dressed by staff at Ao Luek Hospital, he was released.

Police officers from Ao Luek District station were called to the scene of the shooting and found only pools of blood and spent bullet casings. They say they believe that Mr Khonlian was the likely target of the shooting as he had won a hotly contested local election at the end of November.

The unknown gunmen are still at large, but police superintendent Somdej Sukgarn said his officers would be hunting for them and also any person who was behind the massacre. Officers say they hope the 11mm bullet casings picked up at the scene of the crime will give them a clue as to the identity of the perpetrators.

Tags: Krabi mosque shooting