A farmer in Kandal province’s Ang Snuol district was allegedly shot 15 times at his birthday party on Saturday by a cousin who is a member of the Ministry of Interior’s bodyguard department, police said yesterday.

Deputy district police chief Thach Phalla identified the victim as Chan Vuthy, 43, and the alleged shooter as police official Tem Savy, 35. The motive for the shooting is still unclear, Phalla said, adding that witnesses who attended the party said the victim and suspect were not talking to each other. The two were sharing a table, and had been drinking for some time, when Savy allegedly drew his Glock handgun and shot Vuthy before fleeing in the ensuing chaos.

“After the incident, authorities arrived and found the pistol and 14 shell casings and a magazine,” Phalla said. “We checked the body and found 15 [wounds], and the bullets went through the body in three places, in the right of the chest and the belly.”

Given that Savy is a police official, Phalla added, documents are being prepared seeking help from relevant institutions in finding and arresting him.