Foss High

A psychiatrist there reported last month that the teen suffers from psychosis, and prescribed a battery of drugs to treat it, according to court documents.

A psychiatrist hired by the defense has diagnosed Chanthabouly with a “major mental disorder,” John McNeish, one of the two public defenders assigned to represent the teenager, told Superior Court Judge Ronald Culpepper during a hearing.

McNeish did not say from what mental disease his client suffers or what the possible mental defense would be.

To successfully argue insanity, his lawyers would have to convince a judge that Chanthabouly didn’t know the difference between right or wrong or couldn’t perceive the nature and quality of what he was doing when Kok was shot.

The teenager told a jail mental health expert in January that he suffers from schizophrenia, takes anti-psychotic medications and once was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after attempting suicide, according to a court records.

“The affiant recovered a notebook with ‘LOC’ written inside along with two blue bandanas,” Krause said. “The affiant also observed that the clothes in the closet were mainly blue or black in color. The affiant is aware that the term LOC is commonly associated with a Cambodian gang known as the ‘Loc’ed Out Crips.’ Their colors are blue.”

"There was a disagreement over property between the two and some money between the two," he said. "The suspect felt the victim owed him some money, and by not paying there are some respect issues."

After his arrest, Chanthabouly was interviewed by Penny Hobson of Pierce County Jail's mental health staff.

Hobson's report filed Thursday in Pierce County Superior Court said that Chanthabouly was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Kirkland two years ago after attempting suicide.

Chanthabouly was confused at times, somewhat depressed and having hallucinations, Hobson wrote in her evaluation.

He "appears to have difficulty with concentration" and said he has trouble remembering things since he began suffering psychotic symptoms about two years ago, she wrote.

Chanthabouly "reports ongoing psychotic symptoms that are reduced but not extinguished with medication," Hobson said. "Based on his history, there may (be) competency concerns - this would obviously be impacted by his attorney's ability to communicate with him."

Hobson noted that Chanthabouly's judgment was within normal limits and "currently appears adequate." He also had a good understanding of his current circumstances and "does not appear to be imminently at risk," she said.

"I think it's gang related -- just because of the kind of person Sam used to be," said his friend, Derek Banghart, 19, speculating that the attack might have been retribution for a perceived offense from years ago.

A teenager refused to tell police why he shot and killed a fellow student at Henry Foss High School, saying, "I can't tell you why, I don't want it in the news," according to a probable cause statement filed Thursday.

The probable cause statement, written by county Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ed Murphy, said Chanthabouly "did not know Mr. Kok, but knew of him." Witnesses told police that Chanthabouly pointed a handgun at Kok, said "What's up?" and fired a shot into his face, Murphy wrote. Police believe the shot was fired from no more than a foot away.

The shooter stood over the body and fired twice more, hitting him in the lower left side and left buttock, the statement said.

According to booking records at the Pierce County jail, the shooting suspect is Douglas Chanthabouly.

The Pierce County medical examiner's office identified the dead boy as Samnang Kok.

TACOMA — A male student was shot to death at Foss High School this morning and police said about two hours later that they had a captured a suspect.