BANGKOK, Thailand – A 14-year-old teenager is facing charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, and illegal firearms possession after allegedly going on a shooting spree at a high-end shopping centre in Bangkok. The suspect, who reportedly suffers from psychological issues and had not taken his daily medication, will be sent to a juvenile court for proceedings.

Authorities are facing difficulties in communicating with the teenager, who is said to have modified a handgun designed to fire blanks, enabling it to discharge live ammunition. The incident occurred at Siam Paragon mall during peak hours, resulting in the deaths of two women from China and Myanmar, and injuring five others, including two foreigners and three Thai nationals.

Investigations are underway to determine the suspect’s background, including interviews with his online gamer friends to gain insights into his mental state. Police Chief Torsak Sukvimol described the incident as fitting an active shooter profile, stating that the suspect had a psychological breakdown and claimed to have heard voices telling him to shoot.

Notably, this shooting came just days before the first anniversary of a mass killing at a nursery in northeastern Thailand, where 35 people, including 22 children, were killed in an attack by a former policeman who later died by suicide. The incident also follows a previous mass shooting in 2020, where a Thai soldier killed 29 people and injured 57 in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Siam Paragon is a renowned luxury shopping mall in Thailand, attracting both domestic and foreign shoppers to its vast array of stores, cinema, aquarium, and dining options. Local news reports have raised concerns about security at the mall, revealing that visitors continued to walk through metal detectors without being checked in the aftermath of the shooting.

Efforts to understand the motives behind this tragic event and prevent future occurrences remain ongoing. As the suspect awaits trial in a juvenile court, authorities will continue their investigation into his background and psychological state, revealing the pressing need for increased awareness and support for mental health issues.