On October 3, 2023, a shooting spree inside the Siam Paragon Mall, Bangkok, Thailand left three individuals dead and four others injured. The suspected gunman, a 14-year-old teenager, was quickly caught, stopping the terrifying experience that sent customers and shopping center participants escaping for their lives.
Also Read: Fire Erupts in Egypt Police Headquarters, Injures 45 People
The incident started at roughly 5:00 PM local time, when the Siam Paragon Mall was bustling with shoppers and visitors, both local and tourists. Gunshots rang out, sending shockwaves through the crowed shopping center.
Panic ensued as people tried to escape the scene, desperately seeking safety. Unverified videos shared on social media captured the chaos, with terrified individuals, including children, running towards the exits while security guards attempted to guide them to safety.
Reports suggested that the shooting had begun from a bathroom inside the shopping Mall, further adding to the disarray and dread among those present.
The incident left customers and staff in a condition of shock, as they looked for refuge inside shops and bathrooms, uncertain about the unfolding situation.
The suspected shooter, a 14-year-old young person, was at last caught by law enforcement officials. Social media images and videos depicted the moment when police officers handcuffed the individual, who was dressed in khaki cargo pants and a baseball cap.
This arrest raised numerous questions about the motives and circumstances surrounding the shooting, particularly considering the age of the alleged perpetrator.
Also Read: Mexico Church Roof Collapses: At Least 10 Killed and 60 Others Injured
Because of the emergency, crisis administrations and law enforcement showed up at the scene. The Bangkok Emergency Center, responsible for coordinating responses to emergencies, revised an earlier death toll that initially indicated three fatalities.
Dr. Yutthana Setthanan, the director of the center, clarified that one person had tragically lost their life in the incident.
Among the seven people shot at the shopping center, one person had died, and five others were seriously injured. The victim was identified as a Chinese citizen, highlighting the mall’s popularity among international visitors.
The safety of mall-goers was a top priority, with authorities and security teams collaborating to evacuate customers and employees from the building.
Shoppers described the terrifying moments when they heard gunshots and subsequently joined the frantic rush to leave the mall safely.
The Siam train station, found close by, was briefly shut, further complicating what is going on as individuals were prevented from leaving the station while emergency services responded.
Also Read: Whoosh: Indonesia Opens First High-Speed Railway Backed by China
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin communicated his deep concern over the incident and instantly requested an examination.
In a social media post, he conveyed his worry for public safety, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. The prime minister’s response underscored the significance of the incident and the need for a thorough examination of its causes.
While gun ownership in Thailand is relatively high compared to other countries in the region, mass shootings remain a rare occurrence.
According to data from the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey, more than 10.3 million civilians held firearms in Thailand, equating to roughly 15 guns for every 100 people, with approximately 6.2 million of those guns being legally registered.
Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun homicides in Southeast Asia, trailing only behind the Philippines, as reported by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
Despite the prevalence of firearms in the country, mass shootings like the one at Siam Paragon are infrequent.
The incident at the shopping mall serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers associated with gun ownership and the need for stringent regulations and safety measures.
Also Read: Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/C52YHQHT2JJ25KXXIJDCOUSFYE.jpg "At Least 2 Killed in Bangkok Mall Shooting, Suspect Arrested 5")
