Story highlights Police: Anti-government protesters had blocked a voting station and shut it down

They encountered government supporters and exchanged verbal assaults

It's unclear who killed protest leader Suthin Thararin, police said

Protesters have been calling for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down

An anti-government protest leader was shot to death Sunday as demonstrators blocked a voting station in Bangkok, police said.

Suthin Thararin, a protest leader for the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), was killed in front of Sri Eiam Temple in the Thai capital, Police Col. Thawatkiat Jindakuansanong said.

Nine others were injured in the shooting, medical officials said.

Protesters have been calling for the democratically elected Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down. They want to replace her administration with an unelected "people council," which would see through electoral and political changes.

After a series of recent outbreaks of violence, Thai authorities declared a state of emergency last week, giving extra powers to security forces.

JUST WATCHED Pro-government leader shot in Thailand Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Pro-government leader shot in Thailand 00:55

JUST WATCHED Thailand's political unrest turns violent Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Thailand's political unrest turns violent 01:53

JUST WATCHED Thai PM talks to CNN amid unrest Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Thai PM talks to CNN amid unrest 01:02

On Friday, a Thai court ruled that elections scheduled for next month could be postponed.

Thararin's death came after anti-government protesters blocked a voting station and shut it down after officials agreed to suspend the voting, police said.

While the protesters were coming out of the area, there were several rounds of gunshots, police said..

Jindakuansanong could not confirm the identity of the shooter or shooters, but said anti-government protesters encountered pro-government supporters, and the two sides exchanged verbal assaults.

Meanwhile, more than 45 out 50 polling stations have been closed due to obstructions by opposition protesters from the PDRC, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovijakchaikul said.