The victim, identified as Amir Munder Mahmoud Mahmoud, 24, an Iraqi national, was shot multiple times at about 5:53pm on Friday (Feb 7) while wiping down his motorcycle outside the C&N Hotel on Sirirat Rd in Patong. He was rushed to Patong Hospital with serious injuries but later succumbed to his wounds.
Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum said the victim was grievously wounded in the shooting and despite emergency treatment, was later pronounced dead at Patong Hospital.
According to investigators, the gunman arrived on a motorcycle, pulled up beside the victim and opened fire before fleeing the scene at speed. No property was reported stolen.
At the scene, officers recovered spent bullet casings and documented bloodstains on the road. The Phuket Forensic Science Division was called in to examine the area and collect evidence, while investigators reviewed CCTV footage from surrounding businesses and hotels to trace the suspect’s movements.
CCTV footage showed that shortly before the shooting, the suspect was riding a black-and-red Honda Click motorcycle and was wearing a helmet, a black T-shirt with a white ‘K’ printed on the back, blue jeans, a windbreaker and sneakers.
Patong Police Chief Pol Col Korakrit Khanthakrue said a full investigation was launched immediately, with officers canvassing the area for witnesses and tracking the suspect’s escape route using CCTV footage.
Later that evening, Pol Maj Gen Sinlert convened an urgent meeting at Patong Police Station with senior officers from Patong Police, Phuket Provincial Police, Region 8 Police and the Crime Suppression Division to coordinate the investigation and prevent the suspect from fleeing Thailand.
Investigators identified a prime suspect, a foreign man who had been staying at a hotel near the crime scene and who checked out shortly after the shooting. Police searched his room and the hotel, seizing a motorcycle, helmet, clothing and a firearm believed to have been used in the killing. The items were sent for forensic examination.
Police later identified the suspect as Fernando Estaid Guevara Sanchez, 39, a Colombian national, who entered Phuket on Jan 19 and was due to depart Thailand at 8:40am yesterday (Feb 8) on Qatar Airways flight QR843. Immigration authorities were alerted and officers were deployed to Phuket International Airport and surrounding areas.
At about 2:40am yesterday, officers from Police Region 8, Phuket Provincial Police, Phuket Tourist Police, Phuket Immigration and Patong Police traced the suspect to an area near Phuket International Airport and followed him to the KT Airport Hotel.
Police presented an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court (No. 148/2569) and took Sanchez into custody after he acknowledged the warrant and confirmed his identity. He was then handed over to investigators at Patong Police Station.
Mr Fernando has been initially charged with premeditated murder, possession of firearms and ammunition without a permit, and carrying a firearm in a city, village or public place without reasonable cause.
Pol Maj Gen Sinlert said investigators are now coordinating with an interpreter before conducting a detailed interrogation and gathering further evidence. The Colombian Embassy will be notified before formal legal proceedings begin.
Police are continuing to question witnesses and associates of the victim as they work to establish a motive for the killing. A friend of the victim told investigators they had no idea why Mr Amir was targeted.
Officers said all lines of inquiry remain open as the investigation continues.