wounded

Teacher wounded in Thai school hostage incident dies

Feb. 12 (UPI) — A teacher who was among three people injured during a hostage situation at her school in southern Thailand has died, provincial officials announced Thursday.

Sasiphat Sinsamosorn was pronounced dead at 2:06 a.m. local Thursday at Hat Yai Hospital, where she was receiving treatment for wounds sustained a day earlier when a gunman allegedly entered Patongprathankiriwat School, in Hat Yai District, located in the southern Thailand province of Songkhla.

Authorities have identified the alleged gunman as a 17-year-old boy. Provincial officials alleged the boy, “acting in a deranged state and armed with a firearm,” entered the school at about 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

Preliminary findings show that the suspect had attacked a police officer with a knife, wresting away the government-issued 9mm firearm before entering the school, where he took Sinsamosorn and several students hostage.

A standoff ensued.

At about 6:15 p.m., police confronted the boy. During the confrontation, Sinsamosorn and a 16-year-old student were struck by gunfire. The boy, who was also injured, was then subdued by police, ending the two-hour standoff.

Sinsamosorn and the alleged assailant were transported to Hat Yai Hospital, while two students, both girls, were transported to Songklanagarind Hospital.

Officials said Sinsamosorn was shot in the left side of the chest and underwent surgery, but died early Thursday from severe blood loss.

A formal funeral rite bathing ceremony of the deceased presided over by Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the Songkhla Provincial Public Relations Office said in a statement.

Sinsamosorn was a teacher and director at the school.

Officials have identified the two injured students as Nattawan Thongphasmkaew, a 16-year-old girl who was shot in the left side of her waist, and 19-year-old Manassanum Anyphonphalakarn, who sustained minor injuries to her chin and neck when she jumped from the second floor of the school building out of panic amid the incident.

The provincial government said Thongphasmkaew underwent surgery and is in stable condition. “Fortunately, the bullet did not strike any vital organs,” the Songkhla Provincial Public Relations Office said Thursday.

Anyphonphalakarn was discharged from the hospital, according to officials.

The Ministry of Education said it is preparing to propose a special salary promotion and a request for the bestowal of a royal decoration for Sinsamosorn.

Authorities said the alleged assailant has a history of psychiatric treatment related to substance abuse and was discharged from hospital in December.

A motive is under investigation, with preliminary information indicating that the alleged attacker’s young sister was enrolled at the school.

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One officer killed, another wounded in suburban Atlanta hotel shooting

Feb. 1 (UPI) — One police officer was killed and another wounded in a shooting Sunday at a suburban Atlanta hotel, according to authorities, who said the gunman has been arrested.

The shooting occurred Sunday morning in Stone Mountain, located northeast of Atlanta, the Gwinnett County Police Department said in a statement.

Two officers with the Gwinnett County Police Department were responding to a fraud call at the Holiday Inn Express on 1790 E. Park Place Boulevard shortly before 8 a.m. EST. After the officers made contact, the subject opened fire, striking both Gwinnett County officers.

The suspect, who has since been identified as 35-year-old Kevin Andrews of Decatur, Ga., was struck by return fire, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.

Officer Pradeep Tamang died from injuries sustained in the shooting, the Gwinnett County Police Department said, adding that the other officer, David M. Reed, underwent surgery at a hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition.

“Our hearts are with the families of Officer Pradeep Tamang and with MPO David Reed, their loved ones and the entire Gwinnett County Police Department during this incredibly difficult time,” Nicole Love Hendrickson, chair of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, said in a statement.

“We are deeply grateful for their continued dedication, and we stand united with our officers, their families and all of you as we navigate this challenging time together.”

Tamang joined the Gwinnett County Police Department in July 2024. Reed, a master police officer, has been with the force since September 2015.

Andrews, the suspect, will be transported to Gwinnett County Jail once he is released from the hospital, authorities said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the shooting, said in a statement that the officers were called to the hotel in response to a South Carolina individual stating their credit card had been fraudulently used there.

The hotel desk manager advised Tamang and Reed that the room in question was being rented to Andrews, whom they spoke to about the alleged fraudulent use of the credit card.

After learning Andrews had an active warrant for failure to appear in DeKalb County, Tamang and Reed attempted to arrest the man, who allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired on the officers.

Andrews has been charged with one count each of malice murder, felony murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of aggravated assault upon a public safety officer.

“Today, we join @GwinnettPD in mourning the loss of a brave officer and are praying for the swift recovery of another,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement on X.

“This is the latest reminder of the dangers law enforcement face on a daily basis, and we are grateful for every one that puts themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow Georgians.”

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