The incident occurred at the Caltex petrol station on the Baan Don-Cherng Talay Road, in Baan Pasak, shortly after 10pm last night where a police report an unnamed assailant fatally shot Teerapat Suksrimuang, who resided in Pa Khlok.
Pol Lt Suthirak Chuthong of the Cherng Talay Police was informed of the incident at approximately 10:25pm before Pol Col Weeraphong Rakkhito and colleagues then proceeded to the scene in due course.
On arrival officers discovered the body of Mr Teerapat lying on the grass verge near the petrol station. He was badly injured but still conscious, police stated. Mr Teerapat had been shot through the back of his left shoulder by a firearm.
Medics from Thalang Hospital arrived at the scene to administer emergency first aid before transporting Mr Teerapat to Thalang Hospital. He remained unconscious throughout, officials confirmed.
Due to the serious extent of his injury, Mr Teerapat was then rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further treatment although he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Following initial investigation police said a friend of Mr Teerapat, 22-year-old Narathip Chidchiew, explained that before the incident he, Mr Teerapat and two other friends had attended a funeral at Baan Don Temple.
Afterwards, the four headed to Mr Narathip’s house at Baan Khok Tanod before Mr Teerapat said he was tired and so planned to head home to shower and sleep.
It was not clear from initial police reports how the actual shooting at the gas station took place other than Mr Teerapat had been shot in the back before losing consciousness and falling to the ground. Likewise any motive for the attack was unknown at time of press.
Officers confirmed they will study local CCTV footage in an attempt to better understand the situation and hopefully be able to pinpoint and capture the perpetrator in due course.