Gunman opens fire at Thai Navy base, killing 2

2011-09-14 20:56:45 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- A Thai Naval officer went on a shooting rampage at a naval base in the country's southern region on Wednesday, killing at least two people before fatally shooting himself, officials said.

Private Russaram Morlae, 22, a member of the Thai Navy, carried out the attack Wednesday morning at the Jam Pa Kor military base, located in the Bacho district of Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat, officials told the Bangkok Post.

According to reports, Russaram entered an office room with six Navy personnel within the military base and suddenly opened fire. Equipped with an M-16 assault rifle, Russaram, who was on guard duty at the time of the attack, killed two people before killing himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, but police said Russaram might have had a nervous breakdown prior to the attack.

All six people inside the office received gunshot wounds to the body. They were identified as Wichit Boonwarasatit, Bamrung Senkratoke, and Ong-art Srihabutrand, all of them with the rank of Chief Petty Officer First Class; and Jarus Srisook, Nattapong Pongchareon and Chaichana Pramote with the rank of Petty Officer First Class. 

Shortly after the attack, Wichit and Bamrung were pronounced dead.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-09-14

Moved to the Southern Forum.