Police Officer Shoots Wife Dead at Chonburi School
A woman was shot dead at a kindergarten in Chonburi's Bang Lamung district Wednesday morning, with police investigating her husband, a police officer, as the suspected gunman. All 44 students were safely evacuated with no injuries reported.
CHONBURI — A woman was shot dead inside a kindergarten in Bang Lamung district on Wednesday morning, with police investigating whether her husband, a police officer, was responsible. All 44 children at the school were safely evacuated and no students were injured.
At around 11:00, Bang Lamung police were alerted to a shooting at Nong Pla Lai Municipality Kindergarten in Nong Pla Lai subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province. One woman was reported dead.
Police, Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue workers and other agencies rushed to the school to secure the area. Chonburi Governor Naris Niramaiwong also arrived to monitor the situation.
Several children were found frightened and crying following the incident. Authorities moved all 44 students to a safe area in front of the school and urgently contacted their parents to collect them.
Initial checks confirmed that all 44 children were safe and no students were injured.
On the first floor, inside the school canteen, officers found the body of Phailin, 48, with a gunshot wound near her left ear. A 9mm shell casing was found nearby and collected as evidence.
Police initially received information that the suspected gunman fled the school in a white Honda sedan with an unknown registration number. Somyot Sanguanwong, 57, an eyewitness, said he saw a man drive to the school and park before approaching the victim and speaking with her. He then heard a gunshot. The incident happened so quickly that people nearby panicked and sought shelter. The man subsequently returned to the white sedan and drove away.
As news of the shooting spread, parents rushed to the school to collect their children. Some children remained visibly frightened and continued crying as their parents comforted them.
Police were later investigating information that the suspected shooter was the victim's husband, identified as Police Sub-Lieutenant Thassapong, a police officer. After the shooting, he was reportedly seen driving to his residence. The standoff at the officer's residence remains ongoing, with authorities seeking a peaceful surrender.
The motive for the shooting remains under investigation. Police are collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses as they proceed with the case.
