A 51-year-old mechanic shot and wounded his wife and her German boyfriend at a restaurant and was then shot dead by a police officer dining at the same eatery in Chon Buri's Muang district early Thursday morning, police said
The dead gunman was out on bail pending appeal after previously being convicted and sentenced to death for a jealousy murder last year.
Natthapol Yimpakdi opened fire on his wife and her friend in front of Bang Saensuk restaurant in tambon Saensuk of Chon Buri’s Muang district about 1am on Thursday, said police.
His victims were identified as Raat Decker, 51, a German national, and Natthapol’s wife Jamnian Hathong, 38.
Mr Decker sustained gunshot wounds to his waist and his left leg, while Ms Jamnian was wounded in both legs. They were rushed to Burapha University Hospital, where the German was admitted to intensive care.
Natthapol subsequently shot dead by a police officer who was in the restaurant and tried to arrest him.
Pol Col Seree Setthakorn, chief of Saensuk police station, said Mr Natthapol had been waiting inside his car in front of the restaurant and walked toward his wife and her German friend when they left there.
He talked to them for a while and then pulled out a .38 pistol and fired six shots at them. The two collapsed on the pavement.
After the shooting, Natthapol ran to this car. Pol Maj Pisit Kitkhunthod, who witnessed the incident, ran after him and tried to arrest him. However, Nattapol instead fired two shots at the officer, who returned fire, killing him.
Police searched his car and found a farewell letter left inside. In the letter, he apologised to his mother for not having any chance to take care of her any more. He also accused his wife of rejecting him for a new boyfriend.
Police said Natthapol had a criminal record. He was convicted of shooting dead Thaithoon Sunthornwong, administration official at Chon Buri’s PAO, on July 29 last year. He surrendered to police that day and confessed to the murder, saying that the man was romantically involved with his wife Jamnian, who worked at the same office.
The provincial court sentenced him to death. Natthapol, who was released on bail pending appeal against the judgement.
He later learned that his wife had developed a special relationship with the German man. He became angry and vented his frustration in his farewell letter. He also posted a message on his Facebook page saying he would end his own life. However, he then changed his mind and instead shot his wife and her German friend.