Police arrested a man on Monday for killing a grandmother and slashing her granddaughter with a machete at Trapaing Phlong commune, Romeas Hek district, in Svay Rieng province.

Doung commune police chief Sek Vanna said on Tuesday the suspect Seng Tith, 37, slashed Hing Yim, 75, and her granddaughter Men Ry, 14. Yim was slashed on the back of her neck and Ry suffered a wound on her left cheek.

The suspect told police that before killing Yim, he felt as though he was being followed by someone who wanted to hurt him.

Vanna said it is hard to make sense of the suspect’s testimony. He is known as a heavy drinker.

The suspect’s wife described him as an alcoholic who drinks daily and causes disputes, but never serious violence.

Around 6pm on Monday, he allegedly took a machete and went to find his wife who was in another village.

Citing witnesses, Vanna said the suspect walked to the house of the grandmother.

Villagers who witnessed the incident took the victims to the Health Center in Doung commune. The grandmother died on arrival and the granddaughter was admitted for a day.

Vanna said the suspect does not have a history of mental illness.