Korat-
As of 9:40 PM an active shooter situation is still taking place at the Terminal 21 Mall in Korat. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in Nakhon Ratchasima reports at least 16 people dead after a soldier went rogue from a military camp and went on a shooting spree in and around the mall during the busy evening shopping hours.
Hundreds of people remain trapped in the mall, many begging for help from the outside as they sit inside shuttered shops and restaurants.
The shooter, a 32 year old soldier, remains in the mall with multiple hostages. A security guard who spoke with Thai media and leaked CCTV television from a security office says the man has moved to the basement level and is digging himself in, potentially for a fight. We have chosen not to name the shooter so not to glorify his actions.
The shooter allegedly had a disagreement about commision on a sale of land.
The shooter shot his Commander at a nearby military camp and killed two others and then proceeded to raid the ammo Depot and steal a Humvee. He broadcast and updated the entire event on Facebook before they shut down his account.
At that point he drove to the Terminal 21 in Korat, randomly shooting civilians along the way. He shot at a gas canister in the food court of the mall which caused an explosion.
The Thai Royal Police have sent in assault teams from Bangkok via helicopter. The Chief of the Royal Thai Police himself has gone to the scene. Hundreds of police and army are at the scene of the standoff.
This is a developing story. We will keep you updated.
