Suspect’s Flight to Freedom Ends in Hail of Bullets

Forensic police search a crime scene on Monday.

NAN — Four days after he pushed his way to freedom from police custody, a suspected drug dealer was gunned down Monday after pointing a gun at a cop.

Adirek Chomphuros, 36, was shot after he aimed his weapon at police officers moments after they cornered him in Nan city, provincial police commander Attasit Sudsa-nguan said. Police had stopped the car he was driving.

“He pointed his weapon at the police, so police returned fire,” Maj. Attasit said. “He died at the scene.”

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Adirek pushed past police officers guarding him at a court Thursday morning and ran for freedom just hours before he was due to hear the verdict in his trial, an incident captured on camera.

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Attasit said he was shackled at the time, but somehow managed to lockpick the chains and ran off. A co-defendant who also shoved his way out of the courthouse holding cell was quickly recaptured.

The police commander said an investigation into Adirek’s escape continues.