On May 22, a 14-year-old Thai boy was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a woman at a shopping mall in Thailand. The incident, which occurred in the city of Udon Thani, has sent shockwaves through the country as it is believed to be the first time a minor has been linked to such a violent crime.
The tragic incident unfolded shortly after noon when the unidentified teenager entered the shopping mall and opened fire. Several witnesses reported hearing upward of 10 gunshots, and when police arrived on the scene, they reportedly found an elderly woman dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Additionally, three other individuals are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Once police had cordoned off the mall, they found the alleged gunman and took him into custody. After questioning the 14-year-old, police were able to determine that he fired a handgun that was suspiciously draped under his shirt.
While police are still investigating the exact motive behind the shooting, the local media believes that the boy was targeted due to a personal dispute. In particular, witnesses told the police that they saw the suspect arguing with an unidentified man prior to the shooting. In addition, officers believe that the shooting was not a robbery attempt and are still searching for the person involved in the dispute.
At this time, there have been no official statements from either the Thai police or the victim’s family. However, this tragic incident has highlighted the need for better safety and security measures in public places. Police are confident that the shooter will soon be brought to justice and that the victim’s family can find closure.