Thailand: In rural northeastern Thailand on Friday, friends hugged tearful family members as they mourned the children and other victims killed by a fired police officer in the country’s deadliest shooting.
At least 24 of the 36 people killed in Thursday’s attack in Uthai Sawan were children. The police believe that the gunman attacked the center because it was located near his home. They identified him as 34-year-old Panya Kamrap. He was fired earlier this year on drug charges related to methamphetamine and was due to appear in court Friday.
Witnesses say the gunman got out of the car, shot the man who was eating lunch, then stopped to reload. Kindergarten workers locked the door, but the intruder shot through the door. The children, mostly aged 2 and 3, were asleep, and photographs taken by rescuers showed their tiny bodies still wrapped in blankets.
Panya committed suicide after killing his wife and children at home. Thailand has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Asia. Mass shootings are rare but not unheard of in the country.
