The gunman who shot three people including a toddler to death inside a shopping mall was sentenced to die by a court today.
School director Prasittichai Khaokaew, 38, had been convicted of murdering three people when the Criminal Court this morning handed down a death sentence over the January slayings at a gold shop in Lopburi province.
Committing homicide during a robbery is punishable by life behind bars or death. His victims were security guard Theerachat Nimma, gold shop employee Thidarat Tongtip and 2-year-old Panuwit “Triton” Wongyoo. Four others were injured.
Apart from the death sentence and a THB1,000 fine, the court also ordered Prasittichai to pay restitution for the dead and injured victims. It was not yet known whether he would appeal his case to a higher court.
Wearing a mask, Prasittichai entered Lopburi’s Robinson Lifestyle on Jan. 9 and opened fire in front of the Aurora gold shop. The whole thing was caught in terrifying footage showing Prasittichai gun down his victims before hopping over the counter to grab the jewelry and flee.
After the incident, anger over the child’s death contributed to a THB600,000 bounty being raised for anyone able to identify the gunman.
Two weeks after the robbery-murder, police arrested on Prasittichai. An angry mob gathered outside a police station in Lopburi to call for the death of the man, who turned out to be an educator in neighboring Singburi province.
He told investigators that he was bored with his life and wanted some excitement. He said that he did not intend to shoot the child.
Related
Mob gathers as police bring in suspect in Lopburi gold shop murders
Reward money for info on gunman who killed 3 at Lopburi gold shop
Police cite progress in gold shop murders while killer remains at large
‘If there’s a next life, I hope you’ll be our son again’: Families mourn gold shop shooting victims
