A former cop suspected of killing at least 36 people this afternoon at a daycare center in the northeast of Thailand is dead after murdering his own child and wife at home and then turning the gun on himself, according to reports.
The gunman, believed to be a former cop identified as Sgt. Panya Kamrab, returned home after killing dozens Thursday afternoon at the facility located in thexy tiny province of Nong Bua Lamphu, according to Thairath newspaper.
Police said the 34-year-old man drove a vehicle with Bangkok plates to the facility and opened fire at about 1:30pm on Thursday afternoon. They said he also attacked his victims with a knife.
Update: Thais demand change after disgraced cop kills 36
The death toll on late Thursday rose to 36 – 12 adults and 24 children. Another 12 people were injured.
Panya was fired from his position earlier this year due to drug-related charges, according to Col. Natthawat Wongsanittheera of Na Wang Police.
Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital has put out a call for blood donations.
It’s at least the third time in under three years that a member of Thailand’s security forces has carried out a mass shooting. In 2020, a soldier in Korat killed and wounded dozens before he was shot and killed.
Just last month, a soldier killed two of his comrades at an army academy in Bangkok.
The government responded by saying it would bar people from government jobs with “mood disorders.”
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