Thai Senator 'accidentally' kills secretary

Phrae - Senator Boonsong Kowasirit, 55, of Thailand fatally shot his secretary and cousin Chanakard Detkard, 46, after his 9mm Uzi submachine gun accidentally discharged when the two were waiting for dinner Sunday evening, police are reporting.

Police say the shooting happened at a restaurant in Phrae province, northern Thailand. Boonsong, a senator the Mae Hong Son province, another province in Northern Thailand, told the police that while the two were waiting for their food, he took his gun out and it accidentally discharged, the Bangkok Post reports. Chanakarn suffered a bullet wound to the stomach. According to BBC News, Boonsong was so shocked by the tragedy, the restaurant's owner rushed Chanakarn to the hospital where she succumbed to her injury, Police Lt. Choosak Phoonaswat said. Police say Boonsong will be charged with death by negligence, News.com.au reports. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, and a 20,000 baht ($597 fine) It is unclear whether Boonsong knew the gun was loaded, The Bangkok Post reports. The senator has not yet been arrested as he is "protected by parliamentary privilege."