The deputy head of the Anti-Drug Bureau of the Phnom Penh municipal police was detained on Monday for firing nearly 10 rounds on Sunday night in Daun Penh district’s Phsar Chas commune.
The commotion frightened one woman so much that she fainted.
Phnom Penh municipal police chief Sar Thet could not be reached for comment on Monday.
According to a report issued by the police, officers acted on orders from National Police chief Neth Savoeun to arrest the 42-year-old suspect for firing his gun on Sunday night in the commune. The case will now be referred to the courts for legal further legal action.
Srah Chak commune police chief Kan Vannak said on Monday that on the night of the incident, a group of unidentified people got into two cars and fired nearly 10 rounds. Specialists were deployed to identify them.
He said: “We have still not identified the shooter and haven’t ascertained why the incident happened at the place.”
Vannak said the shooting did not endanger anyone, although a woman fainted at the scene.
Daun Penh district police chief Teang Chansa declined to comment.
Quoting a senior Phnom Penh municipal police official, Fresh News said on Monday that the 42-year-old assailant, a lieutenant colonel, was the deputy head of the Anti-Drugs Bureau.
It said before the incident, the suspect and his nearly 10 accomplices got into two cars, a Lexus RX 330 and a Toyota Camry. They then exited the cars and approached a gathering of residents.
Immediately the assailant pulled his gun and fired it skyward nearly 10 times.
Fresh News said the shooting spree caused residents to panic. The assailant allegedly walked towards the residents and told them they would die. Then they got back into the cars and sped off from the scene.
Following the incident, local police arrived to collect shell casings. One resident who lived near the scene encouraged the police to arrest them and bring them to justice.