Sergeant Jakrapanth Thomma was killed by police in a shopping center in Nakhon Ratchasima city this morning, after shooting 20 people.

Jakrapanth, 32, who was entrenched in the basement of Terminal 21 shopping center, Nakhon Ratchasima city, Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeastern Thailand, was shot dead, police said.

Gunman destroyed "30 minutes ago", at 2:00 GMT (9h Vietnam time) Jirabhob Bhuridej, head of the Thai Crime Unit, announced. Thailand's Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the country's police chief also confirmed Jakrapanth's death.

"The death toll was 20 and 42 were injured. Of these, 21 were in the hospital and 21 were home," Narinrat Phitchayakhamin, head of the provincial health authority, said at a press conference in the city. Nakhon Ratchasima street.

A series of gunshots sounded before dawn at Terminal 21, hours after security forces raided the ground floor of a multi-storey building, where Jakrapanth took refuge with many weapons stolen from his barracks. Dozens of shoppers panicked and fled when police broke in. However, it is not clear how many people are still trapped.

A member of the Thai security forces was killed and two were injured trying to contain Jakrapanth, according to Public Health Minister Charnvirakul. While Mr. Charnvirakul gave an interview, gunfire continued to resound in the mall.

Jakrapanth, a military officer of the 22nd Air Cavalry Battalion, stationed at Suratham Phithak base in Nakhon Ratchasima, started the massacre yesterday after arriving at a commander's home and shooting him and another soldier dead. Jakrapanth then returned to base to get more guns, stole a Humvee car driving into the city center, opened fire on pedestrians and police cars before going to Terminal 21 shopping center, shooting many people inside. and entrenched there. At least 10 victims are in critical condition, raising concerns that the number of deaths may increase.

Before entering the mall, Jakrapanth fired several compressed air tanks, causing an explosion and a big fire outside the door. He broadcast live on social networks Facebook shootings, selfie with a rifle and a shotgun with amulets wrapped around the barrel, claiming that he was "taking revenge". According to a police official, Jakrapanth had previously argued over the land issue with his commander Colonel Anantharot Krasnae and his mother-in-law.

"It's like a dream. Thank goodness I survived," said Sottiyanee Unchalee, 48, a customer at Terminal 21. She hid in the gym toilet in the mall when she heard gunfire. "I'm very sad for those who have died and those who are still trapped inside."