Police have arrested three teenagers aged 14-16 after a young couple were shot dead after refusing to hand over their motorcycle on a local beach in Muang district of this southern province.
The victims, a 22 year-old man and an 18-year-old woman, were found dead on Oct 29 at 2.30am at Narathat Beach in tambon Bang Nak. The man had been shot twice in the chest and head, and the woman once in the chest. Their Honda Giorno motorcycle was missing from the scene.
Officers initially detained the three teens at a checkpoint for having no documents and mismatched licence plates for the motorcycle they were riding, according to a deputy inspector at the Muang Narathiwat station.
CCTV footage and witness statements matched the description of the three teenagers, leading investigators to a house in Ra-ngae district. There they found the victims’ motorcycle with stickers and plates removed, along with a black Yamaha GT125 motorcycle and a 9mm pistol used in the shooting.
During questioning, the suspects admitted they had ridden two motorcycles from Ra-ngae district but were stopped at a checkpoint and had one vehicle seized due to lack of documentation and incorrect plates.
The three then rode together into Narathiwat town, where they spotted the couple relaxing in a hammock under pine trees near a naga statue. Police said the teenagers approached and asked for the motorcycle, saying they found it attractive. When the couple refused, the suspects shot the man, killing him instantly.
As the woman fled, the assailants pursued and shot her twice until she collapsed. They then stole the motorcycle and escaped.
All three suspects are in custody at the Muang Narathiwat police station.