THE parents of the 14-year-old suspect of a deadly shooting at a Bangkok shopping mall issued an apology yesterday and vowed to fully cooperate with investigations.

“We offer our deepest apologies to the victims, the families of the deceased and the injured, from the recent shooting incident that occurred as the result of our son’s actions at the Siam Paragon department store,” Xinhua quoted the statement released by the Situation Command Centre set up by the Thai government following the shooting.

The suspect opened fire at a renowned Bangkok shopping mall on Tuesday, killing two people and injuring five others. The Chinese Embassy in Thailand confirmed that one Chinese national was killed and another injured.

Police arrested the suspect at the scene. He faces multiple charges, including murder. Thailand’s Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong told a press briefing yesterday the suspect is being held in a juvenile detention centre after a court denied bail.

“My family and I did not apply for bail because we intend to cooperate fully with the authorities in search of the facts and to ensure there will not be a repeat of the violent incident,” said the parents.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by this incident and accept responsibility as fully as we can. We would also like to promise that we will cooperate with the police, government officials and every agency necessary on these legal proceedings,” read the statement.

The parents also vowed to support any mitigation and efforts to remedy the effects of this event.

The shooting has shocked Thailand, with the government vowing to tighten gun control. – Bernama, October 7, 2023.