Phnom Penh police are searching for a tuk-tuk driver suspected of shooting three people in a traffic dispute in the capital on the evening of February 11.

The shooting occurred in front of the Ponlok Thmei phone shop in the Bun Hour Borey gated community located in the Chaom Chao II commune of Por Sen Chey district.

District police chief Morn Vuthy confirmed that a manhunt was underway but declined to provide further details.

Deputy district police chief Chea Sovann explained that an argument between a tuk-tuk driver and car driver had ensued from a traffic jam and degenerated into a physical altercation.

“The car was parked on the road, blocking the tuk-tuk. They had a verbal dispute and then a scuffle. After the fight, the tuk-tuk driver refused to leave and demanded an apology. The car owner refused, and then the tuk-tuk driver call him to fight again. Taking a gun from his accomplice, the tuk-tuk driver opened fire at the car owner,” Sovann said.

The shooter hit three victims: Seak Lim, a 25-year-old clothing vendor, Sok Sideth, a 41-year-old mobile phone seller, and Bora Phi, a 46-year-old local resident.

Lim and Sideth were pronounced dead at Preah Kossamak Hospital, and Phi is being treated for a serious head injury at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital.