Preah Sihanouk police received a report at about 9 p.m. on May 21, 2026, that a group of Chinese nationals were threatening a Chinese citizen with firearms. Lieutenant General Sar Ratha (ស រដ្ឋា), deputy National Police commissioner-general and provincial police commissioner, instructed officers to intervene.
Criminal police subsequently investigated and surrounded the scene.
According to the report, officers asked the suspects to cooperate, but they refused and drew firearms.
A brief burst of gunfire followed. Police said they subsequently brought the situation under control.
Police said five Chinese suspects were detained, one victim was rescued, and two handguns and two cars were seized.
The people involved and the seized items were taken to Preah Sihanouk provincial police headquarters for further legal procedures.
