Chonburi: A police officer fatally shot his wife, a schoolteacher, inside a kindergarten in Chonburi province on Wednesday before fleeing to his home, authorities said. The suspect, identified as Police Sub-Lieutenant Tasphong, shot 48-year-old Phailin on a first-floor hallway at Nong Pla Lai Municipal Kindergarten in Bang Lamung district.

According to Thai News Agency, municipal officials evacuated 44 pupils, three teachers, and three staff members to safety, ensuring no children were injured in the incident. In response to the tragedy, Chonburi Governor Naris Niramaiwong ordered the immediate temporary closure of the school and deployed a mental health team to provide support to the affected children and staff members.

Police have surrounded the suspect's residence and brought in relatives, including his youngest son, to negotiate for his surrender. However, there has been no response from the suspect inside the house. Investigators are currently looking into the motive behind the attack.