Man Injured In Vientiane Shooting

Source: Vientiane Times

A man was shot and injured in Xiengda village, Xaysettha district, while riding his motorbike at 6.30pm on Monday, although the reason for the shooting is unknown

Vientiane Rescue 1624 staff received a report on the incident and went to look for the casualty, who they found with a bullet wound in his chest.

They administered first aid and took the man to hospital. Police are now investigating the incident.

The illegal online trade in firearms is partly responsible for the increase in the number of robberies and murders taking place in Vientiane, police say, while officers are cracking down on the trade, according to the Vientiane Public Security Headquarters.

The use of firearms is on the increase and more murders are being committed this way, according to the police. The illegal sale and purchase of guns has become widespread, especially through social media platforms such as Facebook.

Over the past year, police have dealt with numerous shootings, including two that occurred in September.

In the first incident, a 26-year-old man died in his car after being shot in Nongnieng village, Xaysettha district. Police believe the man was killed because of a dispute with his drug-dealing associates.

The man’s bag contained a bombie, two guns and 28 bullets, a bag of amphetamine tablets, a packet of powder assumed to be a drug, and other illegal items.

A few days later, another man was shot and injured in Sibounheuang village, Chanthabouly district, while riding his motorbike.

The 45-year-old Chinese national was returning from the ICBC bank and riding past the State Audit Organisation.

After being called to the scene, Vientiane Rescue 1624 personnel found the man had three bullet wounds in his back.