Thailand: soldier reportedly dead after killing at least 26 people in shopping mall

A Thai soldier who shot and killed at least 26 people at a shopping centre started his rampage because of a debt dispute, the country’s prime minister said yesterday. The gunman was shot dead by the military after a 17-hour manhunt during which he killed members of the security forces and civilians, the youngest a boy aged 13. The shoot-out that led to his death caused panicked dashes for exits at the Terminal 21 shopping centre in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat. “It is unprecedented in Thailand, and I want this to be the last time this crisis happens,” Prayut Chan-ocha said outside a hospital where victims were being treated. At least two were undergoing brain surgery. Latest: Thai shooter's motive was 'personal problem' over house sale Mr Prayut, a former army chief, blamed a “personal problem” about the sale of a house for the soldier’s rampage, which began on Saturday afternoon near an army barracks and was relayed by the gunman on Facebook posts for several hours. The attacker, a junior army officer identified as Sgt Maj Jakrapanth Thomma, used a stolen M60 machinegun and rifles from one of Thailand’s largest barracks, and a military Humvee, to carry out the attack. The Bangkok Post reported that those killed at the base were his commander, another soldier and a woman aged 63. He then stole a Humvee and weapons and drove to the city, shooting at civilians along the way. “The perpetrator is still in the basement and it doesn't look as though he has hostages. We are getting close to him,” an officer told Reuters. Armed police said they had "taken control" of the ground floor of the complex. The Crime Suppression Division of the Thai police urged fleeing people to "raise their hands" and identify themselves amid apparent fears the shooter could try to hide in the panicked crowds. Troops from a special warfare unit and police commandos were sent to the mall, the Bangkok Post reported, while the man's mother was brought from Chaiyaphum province in the hopes that she could convince him to surrender. He fired shots outside the Terminal 21 mall and continued firing inside. "The gunman used a machinegun and shot innocent victims resulting in many injured and dead," a police representative said. “We are doing our best. You can see that all our senior officers of the government have been assigned here,” Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters at the scene. “All steps are being taken with precautions so that we can minimise the damage as much as we can.” Video footage posted on social media showed people fleeing in panic after the man opened fire outside the mall at about 6pm. The attacker then fired at a cooking gas cylinder, setting off an explosion and fire, before he shot at shoppers inside the mall. He was reported to be holding the hostages on the fourth floor. The size of the mall could pose a challenge for security forces as they try to capture the gunman. It consists of seven main retail floors, including one below ground level, and scores of shops and restaurants. It also houses a movie theatre on the top floor. Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Gen Kongcheep Tantrawanich, who identified the suspect, said police and military units had locked down the mall and the surrounding area. Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world but mass shootings are rare. However, a robbery at a gold shop last month in which three people were shot dead and four wounded, as well as several shootings at courthouses late last year, have sparked concerns about gun violence in the country. In one high-profile case, two lawyers were shot dead by a clerk at a court in eastern Thailand during a hearing over a land dispute.

Thailand: soldier reportedly dead after killing at least 26 people in shopping mall

Shoppers fled building where gunman was believed to be holding hostages