Police in Ratchaburi yesterday arrested an 83-year-old man who allegedly shot and wounded the lawyer of rival claimants in a family dispute over inherited land.
The incident in which a police officer was also shot took place in a car park near the Ratchaburi Provincial Court earlier yesterday.
The 52-year-old lawyer, identified as Prakasit Sermsamak, was left seriously wounded after being shot in the torso, while the policeman from Wat Phleng Police Station was hit in the right thumb. Both were rushed to Ratchaburi Hospital.
A source said police later arrested the gunman, identified as Sukit Lerdprapakuntorn, 83, from Photharam district, and seized an 11mm handgun.
An initial investigation revealed that Mr Prakasit had arranged to meet Mr Sukit to discuss the inheritance dispute at the nearby Ratchaburi Legal Execution Office.
The dispute began after Mr Sukit's mother died 10 years ago. Although, he was the third born of four surviving children, the rights to all the family's land were passed down to him, which his three siblings objected to.
Police believe yesterday's meeting became heated, prompting Mr Sukit to shoot Mr Prakasit and the officer who had attempted to intervene.