A former policeman went on a shooting and stabbing rampage at a daycare center on Black Thursday, killing 37 people, including 22 children, in Uthai Sawan of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
The 34-year-old ex-cop attacker shot his wife and child to death at their home in Nong Bua Lamphu province before killing himself, according to police, after fleeing the crime scene and realizing a manhunt had been launched for him.
See also: 8-month-old child, parents, and uncle discovered dead on US farmland
The horrific incident’s teacher told Thairath TV that the attacker used to drop off his child at the daycare center and had seemed friendly until all hell broke loose today.
The children at the daycare center ranged in age from two to five years, according to Reuters, who also noted that the attacker was fired from the police in June of last year due to drug-related allegations.
According to the report, he was being tried for a drug offense and had already appeared in court that day before going to the school to pick up his child.
According to Paisal Luesomboon, a police spokesperson, “He started shooting, slashing, and killing kids at the Utai Sawan daycare center.”
About 30 children were at the facility when the attacker arrived, fewer than usual because of the heavy rain that had kept many people away, according to Jidapa Boonsom, another district official.
The shooter opened fire on four or five childcare center employees before entering the building around lunchtime, according to Jidapa.
Then Jidapa continued, “It’s really shocking. Once we realized there was gunfire, we fled for cover in great fear. I’ve never seen anything like it — there were so many children killed.
While the prime minister was scheduled to visit on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan traveled to Uthai Sawan on Thursday to meet with the families of the victims.
