Breaking news: Three shot dead, five injured by teenage gunman inside Siam Paragon (video)
UPDATE: Three people have been reportedly shot dead and at least five people were injured today by a teenage gunman on the rampage at Siam Paragon Mall in Bangkok.
Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers swiftly responded to the scene, where one officer successfully apprehended the alleged gunman, a 14 year old boy at 5.06pm inside the luxury Siam Paragon Mall in the Thai capital.
The suspect is allegedly a teenage boy named Indy. A photograph below shows the boy in handcuffs, wearing the same combat trousers as seen in an earlier photo of an armed man.
Prior to his apprehension, the gunman reportedly discharged shots within the luxury shopping destination.
In response to reports of “loud sounds,” Siam Paragon Mall temporarily closed its doors, as video clips circulated on social media depicting people evacuating the premises.
Initial accounts suggest that the gunfire from the perpetrator originated in a restroom on the ground floor. Some shoppers sought refuge within stores throughout Siam Paragon.
On Twitter, one user issued a warning.
“There’s a shooting incident in Siam Paragon. To anyone going or planning to go there, please avoid it at this moment. Stay safe everyone.”
Another user shared a video from inside the shopping mall, where the sound of gunshots could be heard in the background.
“There must be so many people stuck inside.”
Liu Shiying, a Chinese tourist inside the mall, provided information to the AP, recounting how people fled upon hearing reports of gunfire. She noted that an alarm within the mall rang out, and the lights abruptly went out. Currently, she remains in a secure location within the mall.
“We’re temporarily hiding. Who dares to go out?”
BREAKING: Thailand police responding to reports of shooting in Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok pic.twitter.com/eG9fx1bxUk
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) October 3, 2023
Reportedly, the Bangkok Skytrain Siam Station, situated adjacent to the mall, has also been closed.
Thai netizens extended their condolences to the victims’ families and raised questions regarding the accessibility of firearms and the lenient punishments often given to young suspects in Thailand.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow as they become available.
Follow more of The Thaiger’s latest stories on our new Facebook page HERE.
