Thai shooting rampage death toll rises to 29, 57 wounded
The death toll from Saturday’s 16-hour shooting rampage at the hands of a disgruntled Thai soldier has risen to 29, with 57 people wounded, according to news reports.
Most of the victims gunned down by 32-year-old Sgt. Major Jakrapanth Thomma were killed during his siege at the Terminal 21 mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat.
Thomma was killed in a shootout with police about 9 a.m. Sunday.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters that the bloody rampage was sparked by “a personal conflict … over a house deal.”
Authorities said Thomma’s attack began at 3:30 p.m. Saturday when he shot and killed his commanding officer, Col. Anantarote Krasae, and the officer’s 63-year-old mother-in-law.
Thomma then went to his army base, where he loaded up on assault rifles and ammunition, and stole a military vehicle. He shot three soldiers in the process and later shot two police officers who tried to stop him outside a Buddhist temple, as well as two bystanders.
He arrived at the Terminal 21 mall by 6 p.m., spraying bullets and holding off police.
Police stormed the mall around midnight, and can be seen on news footage helping patrons to safety.
Gunfire could be heard inside the shopping center for several more hours until reports confirmed that Thomma had been killed in an exchange of bullets.
The incident was the deadliest mass shooting ever in Thailand by a single gunman.
With Post wires