The Nation/Asia News Network
A drunk bridegroom, an Asean Para Games medalist, shot dead his bride and three others at their wedding reception in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Saturday night before turning the gun on himself, police said.
Pol. Col. Rungroj Tang-amnuay, chief of Wang Nam Khiao Police Station, said the shooting happened at a house in Baan Sarn Chao Pho village in Tambon Wang Nam Khiao in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Khia district.
The groom was identified as Jaturong Suksuk, 29. He had a bullet wound in his head.
His bride was identified as Kanchana Pachanthuek, 38, who had multiple gunshots over the body.
Kanchana’s mother, Kingthong Klajohor, 60, and sister, Kornnida Manator, 37, were also shot dead.Stray bullets injured two guests, Thong Nonkhunthod, 50, and Bamrung Chatherat, 28. The two were rushed to the district hospital but Thong died at the hospital.
Witnesses told police that the bride and groom held a wedding rite in the morning and a party in the evening.
The bride and groom, the bride’s mother and sister were drinking at the same table.
Witnesses said the groom and the bride got into a heated exchange, apparently triggered by the groom’s insecurities and distrust of his bride. Witnesses said Jaturong, who had lost his right leg in an accident years ago, feared that his disability would prompt his bride to turn to another man.
Guests said Jaturong toppled the dining table, leading to his bride, relatives and nearby guests walking away.
The groom then took out a 9mm pistol from his car and opened fired at his bride, her mother and sister before he fired a shot into his head.
Jaturong had participated in the 11th Asean Para Games in Indonesia last year and won a silver in swimming. He had qualified to take part in the 2023 World Ability Sport Games from December 1-9 in Nakhon Ratchasima.
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