A US citizen has been shot and killed after going on a gun rampage in Thailand.
Michael Giavasis, 25, stole a Glock 9mm from a shooting range in Pattaya before firing it in the air as he rode a motorcycle back to his apartment yesterday evening.
Police gave chase while ordering the area to be locked down. Giavasis arrived back at his home where he opened fire in the car park outside, hitting a television reporter in the foot and attacking a passerby.
Michael Giavasis, 25, stole a Glock 9mm from a shooting range in Pattaya before going on a gun rampage
The stolen gun. Giavasis arrived back at his home where he opened fire in the car park outside, hitting a television reporter in the foot and attacking a passerby
The injured reporter, Tivakorn Kitmanee, said: 'I saw he was firing the gun so I jumped to the ground but a bullet hit me in the foot'
Passerby Pitchakorn, 18, said: 'I was waiting outside the building and was slapped by the foreign man before he threatened my sister by aiming a gun at her forehead. Then he fired his handgun in the air.'
The injured reporter, Tivakorn Kitmanee, said: 'I saw he was firing the gun so I jumped to the ground but a bullet hit me in the foot.'
Greek-born Giavasis, who had remained in Thailand as a tourist during the coronavirus lockdown, barricaded himself in his room.
Dozens of armed cops surrounded the building while they negotiated with the shooter. However, when they broke down the door of his fourth-floor room at 3am he was found dead from a gunshot wound to his head.
Police Colonel Khemmarin Phitsamai said the American man refused to meet the officers and a translator while they tried to resolve the incident.
Police Colonel Khemmarin Phitsamai said the American man refused to meet the officers and a translator while they tried to resolve the incident
'The American man died from a gunshot wound, which could have been suicide. There will be an investigation,' an officer said
When they broke down the door of his fourth-floor room at 3am he was found dead from a gunshot wound to his head
The officer said Giavasis may have killed himself after realising there was no way to escape.
He said: 'We evacuated every person from the condominium building so they were all safe. Roads were also closed so drivers were not at risk.
'The American man died from a gunshot wound, which could have been suicide. There will be an investigation.'
Forensic police were examining the room. The body was taken to the Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy.
His motives are not immediately clear. However, police said Giavasis had a history of substance abuse.
He reportedly had a Thai wife, but they separated after he threatened her with a knife.
Police said his parents also recently arrived in Bangkok to visit Giavasis, but were unable to meet him prior to his death because they were put in state quarantine.
The U.S. Embassy has been informed of the death of Giavasis and his relatives have been informed.
