A Thai soldier angry over a land deal went on a shooting spree that killed at least 26 people, most of them in a shopping mall in the northeast that he fled to in a stolen Humvee after shooting his commanding officer, officials said.
Thai security forces shot and killed the rogue soldier on Sunday morning after an overnight standoff at the Terminal 21 shopping center in the northeastern Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima
The soldier was armed with an assault weapon and ammunition stolen from the army base’s arsenal, an official said.
He initially posted written messages on Facebook during the attack before his account was shut down by the company.
Thai security forces shot and killed the rogue soldier on Sunday morning after an overnight standoff at the Terminal 21 shopping center in the northeastern Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima
The soldier was armed with an assault weapon and ammunition stolen from the army base’s arsenal, an official said.
He initially posted written messages on Facebook during the attack before his account was shut down by the company.
Hundreds of shoppers fled the mall in groups crouching low, and the police and army launched several rescues during the more than 12-hour standoff, with armed forces at one point emerging at a run carrying small children.
“It was frightening because I could hear the occasional gunshot…we waited a long time for the police to come and help us, many hours,” said Suvanarat Jirattanasakul, 27, her voice trembling after she emerged.
Another shopper who escaped told local Amarin TV that the shooter was “aiming for the heads” and said his colleague died on the scene.
“I heard so many gunshots. He was shooting everywhere and his shots were very precise,” said the man, identified as “Diaw”.
