KALASIN: A 13-year-old boy died after being shot in the head by another boy with a home-made muzzleloading gun while playing in a house with friends in Nong Kung Si district of this northeastern province on Sunday, police said.
The tragedy occurred in a two-storey house at Ban Nong Khae in tambon Dong Mun. Four boys, left alone in the house during the holiday, were playing games together on a smart phone on the ground floor.
The house belongs to the father of a 12-year-old member of the group.
The incident began when the 12-year-old boy went into his father's room and came out with a home-made muzzleloading gun. He showed it to his friends and pulled the trigger but nothing happened, probably because the gun was not loaded with gunpowder and pellets. The boy took the gun out of the house and returned shortly afterward.
The boy then playfully trained the gun at his friends and pulled the trigger. Moments later, six pellets hit Rathaphum Kaewmat, 13, in the head.
Seriously injured, Rathaphum was rushed to Nong Kung Si hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Pol Capt Chalermpong Sinsai, a Nong Kung Si police investigator, said no charges have yet been filed against the 12-year-old pending further questioning of witnesses and an examination of evidence.