CHONBURI — A police officer allegedly shot and killed his teacher wife at the kindergarten where she worked in Chonburi province on Wednesday, prompting authorities to evacuate dozens of children and launch a police operation to secure the area.
Officials said all children at the school were safely removed following the shooting.
The incident occurred at about 10.30am on Sept 9 in Nong Pla Lai, Chonburi, southeast of Bangkok.
According to initial reports, the officer went to the kindergarten and spoke with his wife before shooting her outside the classroom area.
Children evacuated safely
Authorities said no children were physically harmed in the incident.
Chonburi Governor Naris Niramaiwong confirmed that 44 children were safely evacuated, along with three teachers and three other members of staff.
Officials said the shooting took place outside the classroom area, and no students directly witnessed the attack, according to initial accounts.
Parents were later contacted and the children were picked up from the kindergarten.
Officer leaves school and returns home
After the shooting, the suspect reportedly left the kindergarten and returned to his home.
Police surrounded the property and began negotiating for his surrender.
Authorities did not immediately disclose what may have led to the shooting.
The investigation was continuing as police worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and secure the suspect.
Kindergarten ordered closed
Following the incident, Chonburi’s governor ordered the kindergarten to close.
Authorities also said psychological support would be provided to children, teachers and staff affected by the incident.
Although the children were safely evacuated, officials said support would be made available to those who may have been distressed by the police operation and events surrounding the shooting.
Fresh concerns over gun violence
The shooting is the latest violent incident involving firearms in Thailand and comes amid renewed concern over safety at educational institutions.
Authorities have faced increasing pressure to strengthen safety measures following several recent shootings, including incidents connected to schools and young people.
However, officials stressed that the Chonburi case appeared to involve a domestic situation, with the officer’s wife being the direct target of the attack.
Investigators are continuing to determine the motive and other circumstances behind the shooting.
The bottom line
A police officer allegedly shot and killed his teacher wife at a kindergarten in Chonburi, but all 44 children at the school were safely evacuated.
The suspect later returned home, where police surrounded the property and began negotiating for his surrender.
The kindergarten has been ordered closed, while psychological support is being arranged for those affected.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, and the motive behind the shooting had not been confirmed in the initial reports.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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