Who is Thailand shooting suspect Corporal Jakrapanth Thomma?
A JUNIOR Thai soldier has been named as the suspect responsible for a bloody shooting rampage that killed at least 20 people and injured many others.
Dressed in camouflage, it is understood Sgt. Jakrapanth Thomma first gunned down his commander and two others inside a military base before fleeing in a stolen Humvee with gun and ammo about 3pm local time.
The suspect then fired at civilians along the route to Terminal 21 shopping mall in Muang district of Korat, 155 miles north-east of Bangkok, before taking several people hostage in a Thailand shopping mall.
A police officer said the suspect had been involved in an argument about a land deal and shot two people who were involved, another soldier and a woman.
He said a third person was injured.
Defence ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanit said: “We don’t know why he did this. It appears he went mad.”
The suspect reportedly live-streamed his rampage in the mall on Facebook Live and took a selfie holding his rifle.
The Facebook page has since been taken down.
At one stage during the attack, he filmed himself in a military helmet and uniform.
He told the camera: “I’m tired now.”
“I can’t move my finger anymore.”
He later posted about having a cramp about 7pm, saying: “Should I surrender?”
Thailand Police issued a wanted poster as they attempt to arrest the suspect
Unconfirmed reports have also suggested the gunman was armed with hand grenades.
Although the exact reasons for the bloodshed are a mystery he did post several bizarre messages prior to the attack.
“Getting rich from corruption and taking advantage of other people, do they think they can bring money with them to spend in hell?” he wrote earlier today.
Facebook has since released a statement about the tragedy, saying: “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and the community affected by this tragedy in Thailand.
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“There is no place on Facebook for people who commit this kind of atrocity, nor do we allow people to praise or support this attack.
“We have removed the gunman’s accounts from our services and will work around the clock to remove any violating content related to this attack as soon as we become aware of it.”
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has expressed condolences to the families of those killed.
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