A Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) lieutenant was questioned by Kampong Chhnang police yesterday on allegations that he murdered his father while drunk.

Police arrested Rem Saren, 27, on Tuesday night after he drunkenly discharged an assault rifle at his family home following an argument with his father, according to Chem Bunthoeun, chief of penal police in Kampong Chhnang.

“The gun was turned away from his father, but a bullet flew into the right side of his chest and the other into his left thigh,” he said.

The father, 44-year-old Rem Ret, died on the scene.

Bunthoeun noted that the suspect has served in Preah Vihear as a lieutenant since June 2011.

“The suspect had visited home without asking permission from his chief, and he also took an AK No 8081... and 60 bullets,” he said.

On the night of the shooting, the suspect had drunk rice wine with four friends.

He is set to be charged today.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kim Sarom at [email protected]