KORAT — Police say a soldier who killed at least 25 people in a shooting rampage in Korat was shot dead around 9:00 AM this morning in a police assault, bringing a nearly fourteen hour siege to an end.
The shooter, who stole multiple weapons and a Humvee from his base in Nakhon Ratchasima on Saturday before going on a rampage that left multiple victims dead, was killed during a police operation at Terminal 21 shopping mall where he spent nearly fourteen hours holed up inside, according to the police at the scene.
At least 25 people were killed in what appeared to be Thailand’s worst mass shooting in modern history. Another 56 people were also wounded, the Nakhon Ratchasima governor told the Thai media.
In a news conference, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha said he has ordered all relevant agencies to assist the victims and their families who suffered from what he called an unprecedented outburst of violence. He flew in to visit the injured in Korat at area hospitals this afternoon via helicopter.
The shooter was killed around 9:00 AM in a Foodland Supermarket in the mall after a lengthy siege.
The Prime Minister said investigation into the incident is ongoing and thanked members of the public for donating blood in response to the carnage.
He also defended the lengthy siege, saying that security officers had to take all necessary precautions when advancing inside the sprawling mall complex that had hundreds of civilians trapped inside.
The shooter had allegedly started the shooting after an argument with his Commander about money.
Source: Khaosod, Daily News
