Teen Suspect 'confesses' To Shooting His Family

[Flashermac]

A 19-year-old boy has allegedly confessed to shooting dead his parents and younger brother after he tried and failed to pass the blame on to the dead sibling, according to police.

 

Pol Colonel Sunthorn Himarat, a superintendent at Pathum Thani Police Headquarters, yesterday said the suspect made the confession in the face of solid evidence.

 

"Recordings from a closed-circuit TV system show the suspect turned off all eight security cameras at home where three blood-covered bodies were later found," Sunthorn said.

 

On Sunday, the 19-year-old boy initially told police that his younger brother had poor academic records, had been berated by his parents, and got angry.

 

Sunthorn said the suspect also tried to convey that he was not involved in the murders and that his younger sibling killed the parents before turning the gun on himself.

 

"But from the spot where the gun was found, it was impossible for the younger boy to have shot himself," Sunthorn said.

 

He said police started having doubts about the older boy's claim after available records showed the younger boy was a good student. "We then examined the older boy's academic records and found the suspect had study-related problems himself. From there, we found so many pieces of evidence against him," Sunthorn said.

 

According to the ongoing police investigation, the 19-year-old boy has now admitted he was angry his parents had failed to buy him a car and seemed to love his brother more than him.

 

Over the weekend, he put a soporific drug into the food eaten by the parents and younger brother. Then, after they had gone to bed, he allegedly shot them.

 

While the shocking murders have prompted public condemnation, his relatives hold no grudges against him.

 

"We are forgiving," a 58-year-old woman said at the funeral for the three victims.

 

The relative said there was no point in directing anger at the boy as she believed what he needed was moral support.

 

"In fact, this was a warm family of four. His dad always brought his family along when he visited his relatives," she said.

 

She said her in-law was quite strict with her children. The mother had always instructed her children to behave well and not be a burden to others.

 

"For example, when we offered our nephews cash gifts during the visit, the mother would advise her sons not to take the money," the relative said.

 

As of yesterday, police sought court permission to take the teenager in custody.

 

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Rajanagarindra Institute's deputy director Dr Wimonrat Wanpen said this case should remind everyone of the need to take good care of one's family.

 

"When such violence happens, often family factors are involved," she said. She pointed out that spoiled and physically or verbally abused children could resort to violence.

 

Wimonrat said when raising children, adults should use both love and rules. "Balance the two well and things should be fine," she said.

 

Mental Health Department deputy director-general Panpimol Wipula-korn said her department had already contacted police to provide assistance in the 19-year-old murder suspect's case.

 

 

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