The Phnom Penh Municipal Police are searching for a gunman who shot two sisters and a one-year-old boy outside their home in Por Senchey district on Monday – killing the toddler and one of the women.

Born Sam Art, Sen Sok district police chief, said the case likely revolved around revenge and may have been a hired killing, stressing that investigations are ongoing.

Sam Art told the Post that one of the women – Tith Theara, 26 – worked at Canadia bank and had been dropped off by the bank’s car when she was shot by the gunman waiting outside her home.

He added that her sister – Tith Somalen, 35 – had rushed to open the gate so the trio could seek refuge in their house, but the gunman walked into the compound and shot her as well, said Sam Art.

The one-year-old boy, Somalen’s son, was shot twice in the crossfire and killed, he added.

Somalen, a former singer, survived the shooting and is now in stable condition.

After the brutal killing, police said the gunman fled the scene on his motorbike before officers could arrive.

According to post-mortem examinations, Theara was shot six times – once in the head, three times in the chest and twice in the arms.

Art said two men have been questioned, but they have since been released.

Municipal police chief Choun Sovann called the case “terrible” and said the authorities were doing everything to locate the murderer.

He said: “I cannot give detailed information as investigations are ongoing, but we are working on it.”