KUALA LUMPUR – Thai police have arrested a 14-year-old boy who fired off shots inside the Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok earlier today.
Four are dead, as of press time, while hundreds fled the bustling shopping complex during a busy time of day.
According to the Bangkok Post, the teenager surrendered to authorities without a struggle after a special police operations team was dispatched to the area.
The suspect was reportedly cornered near the Siam Kempinski Hotel at around 5.10pm.
According to Thai PBS, images shared on social media showed a police officer kneeling on a suspect lying face down, with a firearm resting nearby.
A security guard was also among those who had reportedly been wounded.
BREAKING: Shooting incident at Siam Paragon Tuesday afternoon. No casualties reported as of 4.50pm but many shoppers fled the mall. PM Srettha and new police chief heading there.This is a developing story. #Bangkok #Thailand pic.twitter.com/k1hQw8Udnb
— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) October 3, 2023
Eyewitnesses described the assailant as wearing a black shirt and army-style trousers, though it remains uncertain whether any accomplices were involved.
Videos and photographs capturing the suspected gunman’s movements at the scene, which occurred around 4pm, were also disseminated on social media as evacuation procedures took place.
At the Siam station of the BTS sky-train, exits leading to Siam Paragon and Siam Discovery were temporarily closed, forcing passengers to use the Siam Square exit. – October 3, 2023