A rogue police officer brought a taste of the Old West to Siem Reap town on Sunday when he fired his gun off into the air repeatedly for unknown reasons.

Authorities say everyone in the area was shocked by the unexplained skyward spray of bullets, and the man in uniform was apprehended at his home shortly after the outburst.

They said he would be charged to the full extent of the law.

Rasmei Kampuchea