National Police chief Neth Savoeun has instructed officials to take strict action against the Ministry of Interior’s criminal investigation department deputy head after he allegedly shot at a car in a drunken state in Phnom Penh in the early hours of Thursday.

The victims, a husband and wife, alleged that Duong Nakry chased their car in his Lexus, honking until they stopped.

They said he was visibly drunk and pulled out his gun, but was prevented from firing. The chase resumed and, after stopping a second time, in Chbar Ampov district’s Chbar Ampov I commune, Nakry fired five shots at the car.

Police chief Savoeun was reported by Fresh News as saying that Nakry must apologise to the victims and pay compensation.

“We must enforce National Police rules and regulations. If there is no deal reached with the victims, [Nakry] must be strictly punished in accordance with the law,” Savoeun said.

Chbar Ampov district police chief Em Saravuth told The Post that the victims were Phouris Storan, 34, and his wife are residents of Chbar Ampov district’s Prek Pra commune.

He said the suspect, lieutenant colonel Duong Nakry, 47, lives in Chamkarmon district’s Boeung Keng Kang III commune.

Saravuth said the two parties had never met before the incident.

The National Police website reported that at 2am on Thursday, Storan and his wife left a restaurant near Doeum Kor market in a silver Range Rover.

In front of the now-closed Rock Entertainment Centre, they were chased by a white Lexus RX330 which angrily honked its horn at them multiple times.

When the two cars were about 30m from each other, Storan stopped his car and got out to reason with Nakry, the driver of the Lexus.

Nakry was visibly drunk and pointed his handgun at Storan, but was prevented from firing by a passenger who snatched the gun away.

Storan then drove away with his wife, but the chase continued and the couple were forced to stop once again, whereupon Nakry told them to go with him to Chbar Ampov district police station, and the victims agreed.

Before reaching the police station, Storan said, Nakry stopped once again, took out his handgun and fired five shots, breaking the Range Rover’s wing mirror and startling onlookers. Storan’s wife fainted and was taken to a hospital emergency room.

After the shooting, Nakry drove away. However, several hours later he reappeared at Chbar Ampov district police headquarters where he was detained and subsequently sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Police headquarters for questioning.

Storan could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

“I have sent the suspect and my report on the case to the Phnom Penh Municipal Police for the experts to solve. As for me, I only asked a few questions,” Saravuth said.

The Post could not reach Phnom Penh Municipal Police chief Sar Thet or National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun for comment on Thursday.