Murder suspect kills himself as police raid Trang hideout

TRANG: A suspect in the murder of the driver of car on a road in Phatthalung last year shot himself dead as police moved in to arrest him at a house in Kantang district in Trang on Friday.

Haron Usen, 40, was hiding out with his girlfriend in a house in tambon Bang Sak.

Police from Provincial Police Region 9, and local police, surrounded the house about 11am.

They were armed with an arrest warrant issued by Phatthalung court on a charge of collusion in murder.

Police had Haron's mother with them, hoping she could persuade him to surrender.

After a three-hour stand-off, the suspect still refused to give up, instead sending his girlfriend out of the house to safety.

Shortly afterwards, a gunshot rang out. Police said the suspect killed himself with a shot to the right side of his head from .357 pistol.

Pol Maj Gen Thavorn Saengrit, commander of Trang police, said the body was taken to Kantang Hospital mortuary.

Police also found a 9mm pistol hidden under the bed.

On Sept 5 last year, a group of armed men in a pickup truck opened fire at a car on Lampa-Thalae Noi Road in Muang district of Phatthalung about 4.30am. The driver of the car was killed. The three passengers fled unharmed. 

Police investigators identified Haron as one of the gunmen.