The AK-47 gunman who shot a highway police sergeant, seriously injuring him, has been caught. During interrogation, the suspect gave confused testimony resembling intoxication, claiming he was paranoid about being chased by a car before shooting after seeing a police officer draw a gun. Authorities launched a manhunt lasting over four hours.
At approximately 16:00 today (2 Mar 2026), a highway police vehicle was leading a white Isuzu MU-X SUV, license plate Chonburi 9131, which had no rear plate, to stop for a search. The suspect, Premnupong Panomsingh, 36, pulled out an AK-47 and shot Sergeant Anusorn Engphangsri, 36, highway police officer with vehicle code 3108, hitting him in the right ear. Additionally, a local man, Thaksin Charoenchai, 29, riding a motorcycle, was hit by stray bullets in the buttocks. Both were rushed to Phutthasothon Hospital, with Sergeant Anusorn urgently transferred to Police General Hospital due to serious injuries.
After the incident, the Chachoengsao Provincial Special Operations Unit (NPO) joined forces with the Hanuman Unit, deploying personnel and drones to inspect and seal off Soi Ban Don Kha, Village 1, Bang Toey Subdistrict, Mueang Chachoengsao District, about 15 kilometers from the shooting scene. At this location, the suspect's vehicle was found crashed into a pond. Police spread out to surround and search abandoned houses, Bang Toey railway station, derelict buildings, and grassland areas where residents reported seeing the man walking through.
By 20:00, Pol. Maj. Gen. Kriangkrai Boonsorn, Commander of Chachoengsao Provincial Police, along with Pol. Col. Somchai Yusawat, Deputy Commander, and Pol. Col. Pongsan Meesri, Chief of Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station, ordered forces to tighten control around the pond about 500 meters from where the vehicle was found. They believed Premnupong was hiding there. Using tactical persuasion, Premnupong surrendered by raising his hands above his head and walking out of the water for arrest. He then led officers to the location where he discarded the gun on a village road about 500 meters before the entrance to Soi Ban Don Kha—the same alley where he lost control and crashed into the pond. Clearing the firearm revealed several dozen rounds still loaded in the magazine.
Premnupong gave confused testimony resembling intoxication, stating he fled because a white Fortuner SUV was chasing him. Not wanting trouble, he tried to escape but encountered a police vehicle signaling him to stop. Seeing an officer draw a gun pointing downward from the vehicle, he decided to shoot with the AK-47 he had in his car, believing the officer was aiming at him first. He added that he had purchased the AK-47 from a neighboring country (Cambodia) some time ago for 8,500 baht.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Kriangkrai Boonsorn, Commander of Chachoengsao Provincial Police, expressed gratitude for the cooperation of local village heads and residents who provided tips on the suspect’s escape route, aiding in the containment and encirclement. He ordered the NPO and Hanuman units to implement tactical pressure operations, which successfully led to the suspect's arrest.
Initially, the suspect's testimony remained confused, claiming a car chased him before he encountered police who drew their weapon, prompting him to shoot. He has been charged with attempted murder of an officer performing official duties and attempted murder of a civilian hit by stray bullets. The suspect will be further interrogated by investigators, with additional charges expected if warranted.
In the latest update on the morning of 3 March 2026, Pol. Col. Pongsan Meesri, Chief of Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station, revealed that Premnupong would undergo further interrogation later that morning. Partial questioning was conducted the previous night, but the suspect remained uncooperative. After the interrogation, Premnupong will be presented for detention at Chachoengsao Provincial Court tomorrow without any reenactment of the crime scene.
Preliminary charges include attempted murder of a public officer during duty, resisting and obstructing officials, carrying a firearm in public without a permit. Investigators will add more charges if evidence supports them. Drug tests on urine are pending, awaiting blood test results to be included in the case file. Meanwhile, Sergeant Anusorn Engphangsri, 36, was urgently transferred to Police General Hospital last night for surgery to remove the bullet.