Thailand gunman shot dead in shopping mall after killing at least 18

THAILAND (KUSI) – Thailand’s defense ministry says authorities evacuated a shopping mall where at least 20 people were reported dead after a gunman opened fire.

Police were seen on video escorting customers out while searching for the shooter, believed to be hiding on the premises.

Officials say the suspect, Jakraphanth Thomma, is a soldier who earlier shot and killed his superior as well as two others before fleeing to the Terminal 21 shopping center in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Local police and military searched for the suspect for at least 8 hours of official lockdown.

Official reports put civilian deaths at 16, with 31 injured in the rampage.

Security forces shot dead the Thomma at 6:33 PST.