KANCHANABURI: A 17-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed when a teenager was showing off a home-made gun to a group of friends early on Wednesday morning.
The shooting was reported about 4.20am and occured in one of a row of rented rooms in Moo 10, tambon Pak Phraek, in Muang district, Pol Lt Col Arkom Chomsri said.
Police and a doctor from Phahon Phonphayuhasena Hospital rushed to the scene and found Tarin Pinroj, 17, dead in a pool of blood on the room floor. He was shot in the left cheek. The bullet went through his head.
Nathapas Kumkrong, 18, told police he was playing video games in the room with Tarin. They were joined by four other boys who arrived on two motorcycles.
One of the newcomers, a 17-year-old, produced a home-made gun and was showing it to the other boys. The gun went off. Tarin was hit in the face.
The four other youths fled on their motorcycles, he said.
Pol Col Puwadit Kongphet, Muang police chief, said the parents of the youth with the gun were contacted and asked bring their son to the police station.
The 17-year-old surrendered to police at 6.45am. He admitted to firing the shot that killed Tarin and said it was an accident. He had afterwards thrown the gun into the water under a bridge near Wat Thewasangkharam, he said .
Divers were looking for the weapon.