BANGKOK -- A suspected gunman was arrested following gunshots heard in a renowned shopping mall in downtown Bangkok on Tuesday, police said.

The Central Investigation Bureau of the Thai police said a perpetrator with a gun was arrested, and they were monitoring the situation of potential casualties.

The official Thai News Agency, quoting local police, said the initial report put the casualties at three dead and two injured.

Earlier reports from local media said shoppers were evacuated from the shopping mall following suspected sounds of gunshots.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said in a social media post that he was informed of the shooting and instructed the national police chief to investigate the incident.