Authorities have detained a South Korean man accused of firing an air pistol at his friends following a dispute over gambling – before subsequently using the weapon on himself.
Law enforcement in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, identified the unnamed individual as being in his 60s, according to South Korean media outlet Newis.
Officials at Yeongju Police Station stated they have filed charges against the man for intimidation and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Authorities report the incident occurred on February 27, when the man and several acquaintances organized an unlawful gambling gathering at an office in the city’s Punggi district.
Displeased with the results of the gambling, the suspect allegedly engaged in a fierce argument. When the others relocated to a nearby indoor street food vendor for a meal, the man trailed them, having equipped himself with an unloaded air pistol, authorities reported.
Upon spotting his acquaintances, he aimed the weapon at them and squeezed the trigger, officials stated.
Even though the air gun contained no live rounds, a police spokesperson noted that “panic erupted at the stall” because of the loud sound produced by the discharge of high-pressure gas.
A member of the group contacted law enforcement, and the man allegedly fled to his residence. Upon arriving at his home, officers encountered what they described as a “stand-off” with the individual.
In the midst of the confrontation, the man “pointed the unloaded air gun at his own head and fired,” according to the spokesperson.
South Korean Man: Illegal Firearms Charge
Officers promptly transported the suspect to a local hospital, where medical personnel verified he had suffered severe injuries.
The spokesperson indicated that the police investigation remains ongoing. The official further noted that authorities have verified the man lacked proper licensing for the weapon.
In a separate incident, South Korean media outlet MBN reported that Seoul authorities have detained a taxi driver with a gambling addiction suspected of armed robbery.
Police state the driver, who also remains unnamed for legal purposes, allegedly entered a shop in the early morning of March 7 while displaying a weapon.
He allegedly threatened the shop owner with the weapon unless he surrendered 2 million won ($1,336). The owner purportedly declined. The taxi driver then allegedly took a 10,000 won ($6.70) note from the cash register and escaped.
The driver attempted to flee in his taxi, but authorities “captured him without delay,” a spokesperson affirmed.
While being interrogated by police, the suspect allegedly admitted to committing the offense to settle his gambling obligations.
Earlier this month, authorities in South Gyeongsang Province reported that six teenagers struggling with gambling addiction utilized an amnesty period to surrender themselves at police stations.