Soldier denies shooting uni student

Soldier denies shooting uni student

A soldier accused of killing a Bangkok university student in a possible case of road rage denied shooting the motorcyclist in Bang Khen district Saturday.

Pol Col Arayaphan Pukbuakhao, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's division 2, said Thursday that staff judge advocates yesterday handed over Pvt 1st Class Watcharapong Churat and possible evidence to Bang Khen police investigators after an a warrant had been issued for the soldier.

Pvt 1st Class Watcharapong, 21, was charged with the premeditated murder 25-year-old Yutthana Sripradit, a first-year-student at Chankasem Rajabhat University, Feb 7.

Mr Yutthaya and his friend Decha Dabmerdchong, 21, were travelling home to Bang Khen on a motorcycle when the soldier allegedly opened fire on them with a 9mm pistol from his black Chevrolet sedan near his 11th Infantry Regiment. Mr Yutthaya sustained a gunshot wound to his chest and later died, while Mr Decha, who was riding pillion, escaped unhurt.

Investigators believe the motorcycle might have cut off the soldier's Chevy, sparking anger that led to his shooting of the cyclist.

Pvt 1st Class Watcharapong admitting driving through the area, but denied shooting at anyone, said Bang Khen police chief Natthanawit Sitthapirom.

Police, however, examined footage from closed-circuit cameras before filing the arrest warrant, said Pol Col Arayaphan.

The staff judge advocates turned over to police the accused officer's 9mm pistol, his car and the clothes he was wearing Feb 7. The gun was sent to the Office of Police Forensic Science to check the bullets for a match.

Pvt 1st Class Watcharapong is being detained at Bangkok Military Court in Sanam Luang.

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