Bangkok: Thirty-four folks have been killed in Thailand on Thursday in a gun and knife assault at a daycare centre by a former policeman who killed his spouse and baby earlier than turning his weapon on himself, police mentioned.
There have been 22 youngsters among the many victims of the suspected attacker, recognized as Panya Khamrab, who had been discharged from the service final 12 months for drug-related causes, district police official Chakkraphat Wichitvaidya instructed media.
Police mentioned Panya had been in courtroom on medicine fees earlier than finishing up the assault. They cited witnesses as saying the gunman was additionally seen wielding a knife.
About 30 youngsters have been on the centre when the gunman arrived, fewer than ordinary, as heavy rain had stored many individuals away, district official Jidapa Boonsom, who was working in a close-by workplace on the time, instructed Reuters.
“The shooter got here in round lunchtime and shot 4 or 5 officers on the childcare centre first,” mentioned Jidapa, including that amongst them was a trainer who was eight months pregnant.
“At first folks thought it was fireworks,” she mentioned.
Folks collect exterior the daycare centre after studying of the assault. Credit score:TPBS by way of AP
The gunman then pressured his manner right into a locked room the place youngsters have been sleeping, Jidapa mentioned, to kill youngsters there with a knife.
Movies posted on social media confirmed sheets masking what gave the impression to be the our bodies of kids mendacity in swimming pools of blood on the centre within the city of Uthai Sawan, 500 km northeast of Bangkok within the province of Nong Bua Lamphu.
