A policeman has been arrested for shooting a fellow officer in the head as he drank coffee at a cafe in Ratanakkiri provincial capital Banlung town on Thursday morning.

Ratanakkiri provincial police chief Yin Chamnan told The Post that the victim was an officer stationed at the provincial headquarters.

Based on the answers the suspect gave during questioning, police believe the murder resulted from jealousy. However, Chamnan declined to provide further details.

The suspect, 31, who used a pistol to shoot the victim, was detained several hours later, Ratanakkiri provincial police said on Thursday.

He is being detained at the provincial police headquarters.

Ratanakkiri deputy provincial police chief Phen Dina could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

The victim and the suspect were known to be friends, Fresh News reported. It quoted Chamnan as saying the suspect was an officer with the Ratanakkiri provincial police’s Anti-Economic Crimes Department.

Police impounded a white Nissan car believed to have been used in the shooting.

According to witness accounts, a car carrying three or four people including the suspect pulled up in front of the cafe in Boeng Kansaeng commune where the victim was having coffee at around 9:20am.

The group approached the victim, with the suspect shooting him in the head, killing him instantly. They returned to the car and drove off.

No mention was made regarding the other members of the group.