Bangkok, Brief News – At least 34 people, including 22 kids, were killed Thursday in a mass shooting at a children’s day-care centre in a northeastern province of Thailand.
The gunman was an ex-police officer and he took his own life following the shooting.
Local media later reported that the gunman also killed his wife and child and himself during the incident.
Police added that kids as young as 2 years old were among the victims.
At least 12 people were injured in addition to the 34 casualties.
Mass #shooting at a #childcare centre in #Thailand’s northeastern province of Nong Bua Lam Phu. Initial reports indicate 38 people killed, mostly children.
Police have named a suspect, a 34-year Ex police officer.
He’s still on the run. #กราดยิง #กราดยิงหนองบัวลำภู pic.twitter.com/dfsfqebTUk— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) October 6, 2022
The attack began when a man armed with a gun and a knife stormed into the childcare facility in Nongbua Lamphu province.
Police Maj. Gen. Achayon Kraithong said the shooting occurred in the afternoon in the center in Nongbua Lamphu.
The gunman, who killed himself after the shooting, has been identified as former police officer Panya Khamrab.
He was dismissed from the police force over drugs offences last year, police say.
The Daily News newspaper reported that after fleeing the scene of the attack the assailant returned to his home and killed himself along with his wife and child.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha offered condolences for the families of the victims.
Mass shootings are relatively rare in Thailand, although gun ownership is high for the region.
