Police hunt killer teen in temple grenade attack
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1189253/police-hunt-killer-teen-in-temple-grenade-attack
Police hunt killer teen in temple grenade attack
CHACHOENGSAO ฉะเชิงเทรา - Police are hunting a teenager // who allegedly threw a grenade into Wat Ampawan // which killed four people and wounded five others // in Sanamchai Khet district early Sunday.
The suspect has a long criminal history, // having been jailed 20 times, // said Pol Lt Gen Jitti Rodbangyang, // chief of the Provincial Police Region 2.
Pol Capt Thanes Srisongkhram, // an investigator at Sanamchai Khet police station, // said the attack occurred about 1am // inside the temple on Sanamchai Khet-Tha Takiap road in tambon Lat Krathing.
Saneh Thamkham, 50, // an assistant village chief, // told police that // the temple was holding a fair // to celebrate a newly-built chapel.
On Saturday night, the fair, // which featured local folk dances, // attracted two groups of youths who // as the evening progressed // had an altercation.
One group comprised about 10 teens // who live in the district, // and the other about four teenagers // from Tha Takiab district.
Pol Lt Gen Jitti, who led an inspection of the scene, said // an initial investigation confirmed // the attack was motivated by // a feud between two groups of teenagers.
Police said // a fight started after the teens // teased the Tha Takiab group // about how its members // should have their urine tested for drug abuse.
At about 1am // the Tha Takiab group became enraged, // with one of its members taking out an M26 grenade // and hurling it at the rival group.
However, the grenade missed the target by about 10 metres // and landed near a table of other revellers // and exploded, killing four youths.
Three died on the spot // and the other was pronounced dead // at Sanamchai Khet Hospital. // Five other people were wounded, // four of them seriously.
Pol Lt Gen Jitti said // police have the names of the grenade thrower // and other suspects in the gang. // Investigators have asked the court // to approve warrants for their arrest.
The commissioner said // checks found // the grenade thrower had been jailed // on charges connected to drug use and possession of firearms and explosives // in Samut Prakan.
The suspect was recently charged // with drug abuse and released on bail.