Koh Kong Police Officer Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Boss’ Brother

A district police officer in Koh Kong province was questioned by provincial police Wednesday after being arrested on Tuesday over the fatal shooting of his boss’ brother.

Thma Baing district police officer Sy Neang, 49, was arrested Tuesday after allegedly shooting dead Keo Kemsokdang, the younger brother of district police chief Sim Vary, and injuring Chouk Maly, Mr. Vary’s daughter in law, at police headquarters earlier in the day, said Sok Ngor, provincial police chief for serious crimes.

Mr. Ngor said he questioned the suspect Wednesday but still did not know his motives.

“I asked him why he shot them, and he said he was angry. Then he choked up and did not answer any more of my questions,” he said.

Mr. Ngor said he would try questioning the suspect again today.

In Kongchet, provincial coordinator for rights group Licadho, said local villagers claimed that Mr. Neang was irritated with his boss because he had recently denied his request to go home on leave.

According to witnesses, he added, Mr. Neang had taken an AK-47 assault rifle from a fellow police officer before heading to the police station in a rage.

“The suspect carried the gun with him to the district police office, and he seemed strange. That is why the younger brother of Mr. Vary…tried to convince the suspect to hand the gun over. Then the suspect shot him,” Mr. Kongchet said.

He said Mr. Neang then entered another room of the police station where he shot and wounded Ms. Maly.

Mr. Kongchet said Keo Kemsokdang died of a bullet wound to the abdomen at the provincial hospital and that Ms. Maly was still being treated for bullet wounds to the hip and thigh.

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