A GUNMAN who shot and killed five people was driven by a grudge against security guards after an incident where his car was scratched years ago, as suggested by cops.
The horror shooting, which also saw the gunman turn the gun on himself, took place in the Thai capital of Bangkok today.
He opened fire near the crowded Or Tor Kor market, with the victims including four security guards, according to cops.
Footage appears to show him holding a handgun and walking through a car park from the market’s entrance gate.
The police statement says that a vendor was also killed, and that two others were wounded.
This market is next to the Chatuchak weekend market – a popular spot with tourists.
But cops also revealed the grudge that allegedly drove the man to the violent rampage.
A statement by Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Commissioner was released in the hours after the tragedy.
It is reported that the alleged gunman’s wife informed them he held a grudge against the security guards due to his car being scratched in 2019 or 2020.
His wife has a food stall at this market, the statement adds.
The alleged shooter was very protective of his car and was a violent person, it further reads.
He walked away after the rampage and shot himself with a handgun.
The shooter was in a black T-shirt, military-pattern shorts and a baseball cap.
According to AP reports, gun violence is not out of the ordinary in Thailand.
The country has a high level of gun ownership despite restrictive laws.
Cops also emphasised that the shooting had nothing to do with recent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.
The two countries today agreed to a ceasefire set to begin at midnight that will bring an end to the deadly clashes.
Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to bomb Cambodian military bases as the five-day fight escalated.
The conflict saw artillery, tanks and troops battling it out on the border covered by thick jungle.
The fighting flared last Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues mentioned in this story, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat at 988lifeline.org, or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
