A Thai man was charged Monday with second-degree murder in the killing of his 23-year-old cousin at a Thai restaurant located in the U.S. state of Missouri.
Porntrep Phonjaroen, 25, is accused of shooting and killing his cousin at the restaurant where he worked Saturday night, according to court documents. Upon his arrest, Porntrep reportedly confessed to shooting Vasinee Sankra – a scene captured by the restaurant’s security system – through an interpreter, saying he was upset with his cousin’s work habits.
Police called to the Thai Spice restaurant just before 7:30pm found Vasinee on the kitchen floor.
The restaurant was open at the time of the shooting. One patron said she heard a single gunshot and saw a woman fall to the ground while she was eating near the kitchen entrance, according to the Kansas City Star. Though people rushed to try to save Vasinee, she died at the scene.
The customer then repeatedly asked staff who was responsible, at which point Porntrep reportedly spoke up and said “I did it,” according to the patron’s testimony to police.
No other injuries were reported.
Prosecutors have set his bond at US$200,000 (THB6 million.)
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