Johor Crown Prince Recounts 'Worst Experience of My Life' in Thailand Shooting

The Bangkok Post reported on October 4 that prosecutors have filed five charges against a teenager who opened fire at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on October 3, killing two people and injuring five others. The charges include premeditated murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of a weapon, illegal carrying of a weapon and shooting in a public place.

The suspect could face additional charges while prosecutors are also considering charging the gunman's parents under child protection laws.

Thái tử Johor kể về 'trải nghiệm tồi tệ nhất đời' trong vụ nổ súng Thái Lan - Ảnh 1. — Thai special police at Siam Paragon shopping mall on the evening of October 3.

The Crown Prince's Bad Experience

Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim of Johor Bahru, Malaysia, said he, his wife and four children were standing in the lobby of a hotel near the Siam Paragon shopping mall when the shooting occurred. The prince said he heard screams and saw many people running, according to Channel News Asia.

"We took the children to safety, ran down to the basement with my team and the only thing on my mind was how many gunmen were there, what weapons they had and what the situation was," Tunku Ismail wrote on Instagram on the evening of October 3.

The crown prince said he and his security team stood in front of his family members to shield them at all costs. Tunku Ismail then called for security to bring a vehicle to move them to safety.

They had originally planned to go to the Malaysian embassy, but the driver said the Singapore embassy was closer, so the prince called the Singaporean Consul General in Johor for assistance. He also called Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Defense Minister Mohamad Hasan to inform them of the incident, saying that the family would return to Johor when everything was secure. "This is the worst experience I have ever had. Saving the lives of my children from a murderer," the prince wrote.

Thái tử Johor kể về 'trải nghiệm tồi tệ nhất đời' trong vụ nổ súng Thái Lan - Ảnh 2. — Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim with his wife and four children

Suspect remains in custody

The 14-year-old suspect was brought before the juvenile court by police on October 4, his face covered to protect his identity. The court rejected the police’s request to send the suspect to a psychiatric facility, saying it could not confirm that he had mental problems. Instead, the suspect will continue to be held in juvenile detention and undergo a psychological evaluation there.

Police previously said the gunman appeared confused and was unable to give a coherent account. He also said he heard voices telling him to shoot other people. The teenager had been treated for mental health issues at a hospital.

In connection with the investigation, Thai police Major General Nakhari Sukhonthawit said that an air gun and several bullets were found in the suspect's room at his house in the Lak Song area of Bangkok. Assistant national police chief Samran Nuanma said the weapon used in the attack was a pistol "modified" to fire blank bullets.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on October 4 that measures would be taken to prevent young people from accessing dangerous weapons. Speaking at an event at the shopping mall, Mr. Srettha said the government would address the issue of access to guns, including guns that can be modified.

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