Gunman storms house, slays elderly woman

Forensic police collect evidence at the house in Phatthalung where a gunman shot dead a 73-year-old woman on Wednesday night after her daughter refused to open the door to meet him. (Photo taken from Phatthalung rescue team Facebook page)

PHATTHALUNG – An angry man carrying a gun shot dead a 73-year-old woman and seriously wounded her granddaughter at their home in Muang district after the daughter of the house refused to talk with him on Wednesday night.

The shooting occurred at a house in tambon Khao Jiak on Wednesday night, said Pol Maj Wichai Khwan-on, a duty officer at Muang district police station

House owner, Jad Chudam, 73, was found dead inside the house with four gunshot wounds - to her abdomen, chest and back - when police and rescue workers arrived at the house after the incident was reported around 9.30pm.

Her granddaughter Porawan Chudam, 20, was found nearby with serious gunshot wounds to her abdomen and back and was rushed to a hospital. Seven spent carbine cartridges were found at the scene, Thai media reported on Thursday.

Police investigators learned a man went to the house and fired a warning shot into the sky earlier that night. He shouted out for Saowanit Nurat, 41, a widow and daughter of grandma Jad, to open the door. She refused.

The angry man used his gunstock to shatter a glass window of the house, prompting the old woman to come out and scold him. The intruder responded by firing four shots at her. The granddaughter, Porawan, tried to help Jad, and was in turn shot three times.

The gunman entered the house looking for Ms Saowanit, but failed to find her as she had fled through the back door of the house.

Police said they had a lead on the gunman and were searching for him.