Thai police sought drone help over mall shooter

A drone operator for a TV station covering news of the mass shooting incident in Thailand was tasked, not by his editor but by the police, to get the most challenging image of the assignment – the gunman himself.

Thai police approached BBTV Channel 7 drone crew Sunday morning for help after several of their own drones were shot down by the gunman hiding inside the massive mall, according to the news report by Channel 7.

The lone soldier had killed 20 people by that point.

When the station's drone operator was ready, seven fully armed police huddled around him as protection and walked into the mall.

Once inside, Thai Police Commissioner, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda with a rifle slung over his shoulder signaled the operator to fly.

Drone images switched between the normal view and the thermal mode.

It flew past shattered glass window into the deserted supermarket area.

The drone stopped and hovered in front of a close door for a few seconds. The light shone through the wooden shutter door was then turned off.

According to Channel 7, the images helped police confirm that the gunman was hiding inside the cold storage unit at the back of the supermarket.

The standoff ended when Thai special forces fatally shot the gunman, whom authorities identified as Sgt. Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma.

It was the bloodiest mass shooting in the country's history.

Officials have said the assailant was angry over a financial dispute, first killing his commanding officer and the officer's mother-in-law and then seizing several assault weapons and ammunition from his army camp.

He opened fire and wounded at least three soldiers before stealing an army vehicle to flee, shooting as he drove to the mall where shoppers ran in terror.