Police said Thursday that a land dispute in Kampot province’s Toek Chhou district was likely the motive for a drive-by shooting in the district on Wednesday that left two men with multiple gunshot wounds.
Deputy district police chief Nop Channpheap said that four men on two motorbikes approached Keo Chandara, 36, and his nephew Phy Norng, 30, as they drove to inspect their sand-dredging site in Thmei commune on Wednesday afternoon.
“When they arrived at a quiet place, the offenders started firing at the victims,” Mr. Channpheap said, adding that a K-59 pistol was used and that only one of the four suspects actually pulled the trigger.
According to Mr. Channpheap, Mr. Chandara was shot four times in his thigh and hand, while Mr. Norng took one bullet to the left bicep.
Both men are expected to make a full recovery.
Deputy provincial police chief Mao Chan Makthurith said investigators suspect that the shooting occurred because the victims were having a dispute with at least three neighbors over the dredging of a stream near where their properties converge.
