The army killer’s mother was brought to the shopping centre. The woman was seen in tears and as she was being escorted to a car by police she could only ask: ‘Why did he do it?’ The death of the shooter was confirmed by Police General Chakthip Chaijinda, Thailand’s national police chief
Thai police and military units had earlier evacuated and secured the Terminal 21 shopping centre in Nakhon Ratchasima where it believed the 32-year-old army soldier, Sergeant Major Jakapanth Thomma, who killed 30 people has been taking cover and was believed to be holding hostages. The crazed man was shot dead at 9 am.
Thai authorities at the scene in Nakhon Ratchasima have now confirmed that the death toll from the attack launched by a soldier from a nearby army base at 30 including the last person, a brave police officer who died in the ferocious firefight and final assault that led to the attacker being killed.
There were 58 people in all wounded, many of whom have required surgery leaving 29 in intensive care. The final death toll from the attack may still rise.
This came after police and soldiers including a tactical assault team stormed the Terminal 21 building and helped evacuate hundreds of terrified shoppers and members of the public from the terror scene.
The final showdown with the killer occurred in the basement of the centre near the Foodland outlet after 17 hours of terror. He is reported to have been killed by elite police commandos drafted in from units in Bangkok
At least 30 people killed in the slaughter
The motive for the attack is unclear. One defence ministry spokesman on Saturday night could only assume that the soldier had lost his reason. ‘We don’t know why he did this. It appears he went mad,’ said Kongcheep Tantrawanit.
Earlier some sources within the police had suggested that a property dispute may be at the root of the outburst.
‘Death is inevitable for everyone’
Amid videos and a string of messages including the ominous post: ‘Death is inevitable for everyone,’ Sergeant Major Jakrapanth Thomma commenced the horrific attack on Saturday evening when he emerged from the military humvee that he had stolen from Surathampithak camp where he had earlier killed 3 people including his commanding officer Colonel Anantharot Krasae.
Read more about the attack by the Thai soldier in Nakhon Ratchasima here
Other locations in Nakhon Ratchasima also attacked
Police have also revealed that the highly armed soldier attacked other locations in Nakhon Ratchasima before arriving at the Terminal 21 Shopping Centre.
Mother of the soldier brought to the scene
Earlier police have confirmed that the crazed killer is still inside the building after they had locked down the area and the military assault team were deployed. They had brought his mother to the scene in an effort to talk him into surrendering. It is reported that he, at one point, was holding 16 people hostage on the third floor of the building.
However, the man was flushed out by security forces and finally gunned down
The woman was videotaped in tears asking police standing by: ‘Why did he do it?’ as she was driven away.
Facebook has removed the disturbing attack footage
Meanwhile, as witnesses tell their stories of shocking encounters with the gunman, the social media site Facebook has confirmed that it has removed the attacker’s account altogether from its system in response to requests from Thai authorities.
The incident is still ongoing at the building as police try to decide how best to handle the situation
The Thai Army Chief Apirat Kongsompong ordered top brass to go to Nakhon Ratchasima and find out more about what happened at Surathampitak camp near the city and the soldier’s reign of terror.
The Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha has expressed his condolences to the families of all the victims while Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul made an appeal on Facebook for blood donations at four local hospitals to treat the wounded as blood supplies were low.
Further reading:
Crazed Thai soldier kills 20 and takes hostages in Nakhon Ratchasima – broadcast on Facebook
Lopburi child killer is a primary school director who murdered 3 people this month just for kicks
Party over for 45 year old composed armed robber who took ฿4 million in Bangkok gold shop raid
Police near closing the ฿9 million gold robbery case in Khon Kaen as the last suspect returns
https://www.facebook.com/thaiexaminer/videos/181158773112988/
