A deputy police chief of Chambak commune in Kampong Speu province’s Phnom Sruoch district was killed while a police chief was injured as they responded to a violent conflict in Kraing Chek village on Saturday evening.

Provincial police chief Sam Samuon identified the suspect as Touch Heng, 28, and a resident of Kraing Chek village, Chambak commune, in Phnom Sruoch district.

Samuon said prior to the incident, the police received a report about a conflict between Heng and another resident – Chorn Sokvy, 25. Heng was reported to have attempted to hack Sokvy but the latter escaped. Failing, Heng went to beat up Sokvy’s grandparents.

Sokvy’s mother-in-law reported the dispute to the commune police and asked for assistance. Commune police chief Ros Sarin and deputy police chief Tuy Pov responded to the call and tried to restrain Heng.

During the altercation, the suspect snatched Pov’s K59 pistol and shot him once in the head, killing him on the spot.

Meanwhile, Sarin sustained serious injuries on his left eye and nose after Heng repeatedly hit him with a stick.

Heng was also taken to the Kampong Speu Referral Hospital for treatment after he sustained injuries from being restrained by villagers.

“The suspect was also injured as villagers gathered to catch him. He has a big build so many people were needed to restrain him.”

After the suspect’s arrest, Pov was immediately transported to the provincial hospital but died on the way. His body has been handed to his family for the last rites while Sarin was sent to the provincial hospital for treatment.

Phok Sambath, the autopsy technical police bureau chief at the Kampong Speu provincial police department, said his officers inspected the scene on Sunday but had difficulty collecting evidence as the incident happened on Saturday evening.