A tragic shooting at Siam Paragon mall left two dead and five injured. The young shooter had a history of mental health issues, reigniting concerns over gun violence in Thailand. #SiamParagon #shooting #Thailand #gunviolence #mentalhealth
Teenage Shooter Arrested
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after a shooting rampage took place at the Siam Paragon shopping mall, resulting in two fatalities and five injuries, with two victims in critical condition. The teenager was brought in for questioning at the Pathumwan police station, but his confused state made it difficult to obtain information. The boy claimed to have heard voices instructing him to shoot people.
Previous Mental Health Concerns
The young perpetrator had previously received treatment for mental health issues at Rajavithi Hospital. However, the national police chief, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, refrained from disclosing further details, as the suspect is a minor.
The Victims
Two people were tragically killed in the incident—a 34-year-old Chinese woman and a woman from Myanmar. The injured victims included three individuals sent to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, with one woman in critical condition due to a headshot. A Thai man and another Chinese woman were in stable condition. A 28-year-old Lao woman was taken to Bangkok Christian Hospital in critical condition after a bullet struck her armpit and entered her shoulder. Another Thai woman was wounded in her left shoulder, but has been declared out of danger.
Timeline of the Shooting
The horrifying event unfolded in under 90 minutes. After entering the mall, the shooter proceeded to M floor and then to a restroom. He began firing at 4:10 pm, continuing his rampage through the mall’s second and third floors. The police eventually cornered the teen at a furniture store, where he peacefully surrendered.
Public Reaction
As the shooting unfolded, hundreds of panicked shoppers fled the scene, with many gathering outside on Rama I Road in Pathum Wan district. The mall entrances and exits were subsequently closed off, and the BTS Skytrain suspended services at the Siam BTS station.
Prime Minister and Officials Arrive on Scene
The mall closed early, but remained occupied by police, journalists, and VIPs, including Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset interrogated the suspect in front of the cameras, but Pol Gen Torsak reminded that, as a minor, the suspect had the right to consult with a counselor.
Background of the Shooter
The shooter is reportedly a student at a private school in Bangkok, with parents who are professors. Upon searching the teen’s room, police discovered a large amount of ammunition, including 49 9mm bullets and 15 spent shells of various sizes. His phone also contained videos of him practicing with a firearm.
Thailand’s History of Gun Violence
The tragic event comes just days before the one-year anniversary of a devastating attack on a nursery, where a former police officer killed 24 children and 12 adults. Thailand has a high rate of gun ownership and a lengthy history of firearm incidents, both minor and major. In 2020, a former army officer went on a rampage in a shopping mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, murdering 29 people and wounding many more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What happened at the Siam Paragon Shopping Mall?
A 14-year-old boy went on a shooting rampage at the Siam Paragon shopping mall, resulting in two fatalities and five injuries, with two victims in critical condition.
Q2: What is known about the teenage shooter’s background and mental health?
The young perpetrator had previously received treatment for mental health issues at Rajavithi Hospital. He is a student at a private school in Bangkok with parents who are professors.
Q3: How does this tragic event relate to Thailand’s history of gun violence?
This shooting comes just days before the one-year anniversary of a devastating attack on a nursery, where a former police officer killed 24 children and 12 adults. Thailand has a high rate of gun ownership and a lengthy history of firearm incidents, both minor and major.
