Anousa "Jack" Luangsuphom was killed in cold blood at close range by a bullet to the head and chest. The killing scene, which was broadcast online by state media, sparked a wave of emotion on social media and outrage from human rights defenders.
Police are searching for suspects but refusing to comment on the investigation. A long list of government critics and human rights or environmental defenders have been targeted in recent years and have been subjected to intimidation, attacks or imprisonment. At least ten cases of disappearances of activists have never been solved.