NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Feb 9 (TNA) – The nearly 18-hour shooting rampage that killed at least 27 people in Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province ended when the gunman was killed by security forces Sunday morning.
Sergeant Major Jakrapanth Thomma was shot to death inside Terminal 21 shopping mall at around 9 am Sunday morning, according to police. Twenty seven people including the shooter died and 57 people have been injured.
The shooting spree began when he shot and killed his commanding officer at a house near the Surathampithak army camp at 3.30 pm on Saturday. Then he stole a Humvee type vehicle and drove to the camp where he killed at least two Army officers in order to snatch weapons and ammunition.
As he was heading to Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat city, he fired at civilians and police along way. Jakrapanth posted several messages, photos and videos along the way to Terminal 21 shopping mall.
As he arrived at the shopping mall around 6 pm, the 32-year-old gunman got out of the vehicle and fired at motorists in the traffic and passing by people. One of the selfies on his Facebook page shows a huge flame on the background. The blaze is believed to be a gas cylinder explosion which was caused by his gunfire.
His Facebook page was taken offline about an hour later.
When Jakhaphan entered the shopping mall, no one can confirm the exact number of people crowded inside doing weekend shopping. But throughout the night hundreds were seen fleeing the building.
Police commandos and soldiers were dispatched to the scene to hunt for a gunman holing up in one of the largest mall in the northeastern city. The officers apparently attempted to rescue innocent people who reportedly were reportedly hiding in stairwells, walk-in refrigerator and storage.
There were unconfirmed reports that the man held nearly 20 people hostage with grenades on his body.
A large group of around 100 people escaped from the mayhem just before midnight.
At around 4 am, a police officer was confirmed dead in a gunfight with the man. Since then, no more gun fires were heard until around 9 am when a special force was said to make decisive move.
He was confirmed dead in an extrajudicial killing by a press briefing of police, army and Nakhon Ratchasima governor at about 10 am.
Although the gunman’s motive is still unknown, the killing of his commanding officers and the mother-in-law suggested that he was involved in a conflict over a land sale.
One of Jakhaphand’s Facebook posted massages read, “Getting rich from taking advantage of others: do they think they can use money in hell?” (TNA)
