Panya Khamrap, a 34-year-old former police officer, at least 36 people dead in a daycare nursery in Thailand, authorities said on Thursday.
"There were 36 victims of the shooting, including 22 children — 19 boys and three girls killed inside the nursery and another two boys killed outside, including in the home of the assailant, as well as six adult men and six women. Twelve people received injuries," the Nong Bua Lam Phu provincial government said.
Later, reports suggested that the death toll had risen to 38.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha alerted all agencies to apprehend the suspect, and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. He also ordered a probe into the incident, calling it "horrifying".
At least 23 of the victims are believed to be children, aged two to three, police colonel Jakkapat Vijitraithaya stated.
Several videos, purportedly showing people outside the daycare, where the attack took place, are circulating online.
At the same time, the ThaiPBS broadcaster reported that the shooter had killed his wife and child and committed suicide.
The police reportedly found a pickup truck, in which the criminal fled the crime scene, in a parking lot of his house. After that, the building was surrounded. The officers tried to negotiate with Khamrap, as they believed the man was inside the house, teh report suggests. However, no one reportedly showed signs of life in the building, and therefore policemen thought that the perpetrator had left the building.
After some time, police officers decided to enter the house, ThaiPBS reported. They found bodies of Khamrap, his wife and child with bullet wounds inside. The injuries were consistent with the gun that Khamrap used during shooting at the nursery. The gun was also found in the house near the body of the gunman, the police were quoted as saying by the broadcaster.
After some time, police officers decided to enter the house, ThaiPBS reported. They found bodies of Khamrap, his wife and child with bullet wounds inside. The injuries were consistent with the gun that Khamrap used during shooting at the nursery. The gun was also found in the house near the body of the gunman, the police were quoted as saying by the broadcaster.
Police general Paisal Luesomboon said that the shooter may have been under the influence of drugs during the massacre. The perpetrator was fired from the service last year for failing a drug test and was due to go on trial in court tomorrow.
