(CNN) --
At least 23 children are among the 36 people killed in the massacre at a child care center in northeastern Thailand.
The gun and knife massacre took place in Nong Bua Lamphu province, about 540 kilometers (about 335 miles) northeast of Bangkok.
Thailand shooting: Dozens dead, including several children, at child care center, authorities say
This is what we know about the suspect
The suspected attacker was identified by Thai officials as a 34-year-old former police officer.
Authorities immediately launched a manhunt for the suspected attacker.
This is Panya Kamrab, who has been involved in an ongoing court case for alleged drug sales.
Kamrab had appeared in court on drug charges in the hours before the attack.
Tourism endangers the most famous beach in Thailand
Investigators confirmed that the Thailand massacre suspect had killed his wife and two-year-old stepson before taking his own life.
It is unclear if the attacker and his family are included in the current death toll.
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His two-year-old stepson was registered at the center he attacked, but was not present while the attack took place, according to a local police chief.
"[The attacker] went to look for his two-year-old son, but the boy was not there ... so he started shooting and stabbing people in the nursery," police spokesman Maj. Gen. Paisan Luesomboon told CNN. .
The suspect "opened fire while the children were sleeping," according to Maj. Gen. Jirapob Puridet of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).