Groom kills bride and 3 guests in murder-suicide at wedding

A Thai groom and former Paralympic athlete went on a drunken shooting rampage at his own wedding, killing his bride and three guests before turning the gun on himself, authorities said.

Chaturong Suksuk, 29, an ex-soldier, married 44-year-old Kanchana Pachunthuek in the Wang Nam Khieo district in northeast Thailand Saturday.

At the height of the festivities that night, Suksuk abruptly left the reception and went out to his car.  He returned a short time later brandishing a 9mm pistol and opened fire, shooting and killing his new wife, her 62-year-old mother, Kingthong Klajo, and 38-year-old sister, Kornnipa Manato, reported the Bangkok Post.

Two wedding guests were also hit by stray bullets, killing a 50-year-old man and leaving a 28-year-old man wounded.

Chatorung then shot himself and died on the spot.

The groom was said to be “quite intoxicated at the time” of the bloodbath, according to police speaking to BBC News, but a motive for the mass shooting was not immediately known.

Wedding guests told investigators that the newlyweds did not seem happy and had an argument during the reception.

It was also alleged that Chatorung had felt insecure about the 15-year age gap between him and his bride.

The couple had lived together for three years before deciding to tie the knot.

Local police said Chatorung had bought the gun and ammunition used in the shooting legally last year. 

Chatorung had lost his right leg in a train accident while serving with Thailand’s paramilitary light infantry force.

Last year, he won a silver medal in swimming at the Asean Para Games in Indonesia. He was also slated to complete in the World Abilitysport Games in Thailand next month.