In a gun and knife attack at a daycare center in north-east Thailand, an ex-policeman killed at least 37 people, most of them children.
Children and adults are among those killed at the nursery; according to the police, the perpetrator stabbed most of his victims before running away. The horrific murder in the town of Utthai Sawan left at least 23 children dead. Some victims as young as two years old were attacked in their sleep.
Police identified him in the hours that followed as Panya Kamrab, 34, who had been fired in June for using drugs. If the attack had a purpose, it is unclear at this time.
Officials announced a revised death toll of 36 individuals on Thursday evening, including 24 youngsters. The wife and son of the shooter, who was discovered dead at their house after the shooting, are also included in this number. Authorities claim that the shooter later shot himself dead at his house.
Two teachers and one police officer, according to a regional public affairs office official, were also slain. An eight-month pregnant teacher was among those who were killed. According to local police superintendent Chakkraphat Wichitvaidya, the youngest victim was 2 years old. According to Thai authorities, the attacker shot and stabbed both adults and children during the attack. He allegedly used a 9mm pistol and a knife. According to the outlet, the gun used in the crime was legally owned.
Twelve injured people were brought to the Nong Bua Lamphu district hospital. The attacker's son went to the center, but headteacher Nanticha Panchum said he hadn't been there in a month. She recalled that the dad used to drop off his child and was usually kind and pleasant. Due to poor weather and a broken-down school bus, Ms. Panchum said there were typically more than 90 students present at the school on Thursday, but there were only slightly more than 20.
The shooter fled the area in a white pickup truck, according to a different report from Khaosod Online. Panya, according to Thai police, was fired in June of this year for using methamphetamine and was scheduled to appear in court on Friday, the day following the slaughter. In a message shared on Facebook, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha referred to the incident as "shocking" and encouraged all organizations to act quickly to assist the injured.
In Thailand, where illegal gun possession carries a maximum 10-year prison term, mass shootings are uncommon. They are not uncommon, though. A furious soldier murdered 29 people after a 16-hour shooting spree in 2020.
