Australians charged with attempted murder: miss 'mafia' target, shoot German tourists

PHUKET -- Two Australian tattoo parlor owners have been charged with attempted murder after opening fire with an unregistered firearm in the heart of Phuket's party town, Patong, Tuesday evening.

John Cohen, 32 and Adam Shea, 26 shot two German bystanders in their attempt to "strike first" against an alleged Danish mafioso, named by police only as "Dannie".

"This is not a complicated case at all," said Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Arun Kleawwatee. "The suspects, afraid that they would be attacked by a party that they were in conflict with, decided to strike first."

Patong Police apprehended the two suspects within an hour of the 7:30pm shooting.

"We quickly arrested the suspects at the tattoo shop they are both partners in on Bangla Road," Col Arun said.

CCTV footage shows Mr Cohen and Mr Shea walking into many hotels along the street and asking for the receptionist for Dannie, Col Arun explained.

"That's when they spotted Dannie leaving the hotel on a motorbike. Both of them ran out of the hotel, and one of them opened fire with .38 handgun. However, they missed Dannie and hit two German tourists [in front of the Family Mart]," he added.

Phuket Gazette