Teen shoots grandparents before opening fire at Thailand school, killing teachers, classmates

Teen Shoots Grandparents Before Opening Fire at Thailand School

Theindiapostdaily.com – A teen shoots grandparents before opening fire at a school in Thailand, killing six people including three students and three teachers, according to news agency AFP. The 14-year-old suspect, described as “troubled” by classmates, first gunned down his grandparents at their home where he also lived. He then proceeded to a secondary school in Nonthaburi province, which borders Bangkok, where he triggered panic by opening fire on the campus before turning the weapon on himself.

Royal Thai Police spokesperson Trairong Piwpan told news broadcaster Channel 3 that the shooter was hospitalized in critical condition. The shooter’s condition remains unverified, with different news outlets reporting conflicting accounts. According to Piwpan, the motive behind the attack is still under investigation, and the gun was believed to have been taken from a member of the student’s family.

Prime Minister Responds to Tragedy

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed his condolences and said he had ordered relevant officials to take care of the victims. Speaking to reporters, he said, “It’s a terrible tragedy. This should never have happened.” Charnvirakul also said the teenager was “under stress” and had planned the assault.

“Police interrogated his close friend who said the suspect had been under stress related to his schooling. His actions also suggested that he had clearly planned (the shooting),” Charnvirakul told AFP.

Images shared by emergency responders showed students leaving Debsirin Nonthaburi School, located on the north-western outskirts of Bangkok, as ambulances arrived at the scene. One photograph showed a person being carried on a stretcher outside an ambulance, while another showed a person receiving medical attention from a medic.

Students Recall Horror of the Day

One 18-year-old student told Reuters that he initially thought firecrackers were going off or that someone was banging an object. He said, “I didn’t think it was a gun at first,” and added, “There were many shots: bang bang bang. Then it went quiet. Then it started again.”

Another witness told reporters that students took shelter inside a classroom after hearing gunshots from another building before police officers arrived, knocked on the door and helped them evacuate, AP reported. Purin Khumchoo, 17, told news agency AFP that he was among the students who had nearly been shot.

“He was my junior, but I had a feeling that he was a troubled kid. My group of friends who knew him said he was interested in the FBI and guns, and that he was bullied by many other students,” Purin told AFP outside his school.

The incident comes months after a teacher died and a student was injured when a gunman opened fire at a school in Thailand’s southern Hat Yai district in February. Thailand has one of the highest levels of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia, with gun-related violence more prevalent than in several neighbouring countries. However, school shootings remain uncommon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the shooter in the Thailand school attack?

The shooter was a 14-year-old student at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, Thailand. He was described as “troubled” by classmates and was hospitalized in critical condition after shooting himself following the attack.

How many people were killed in the shooting?

Six people were killed in total: three students and three teachers. The shooter also killed his grandparents at their home before going to the school.

What was the suspected motive behind the attack?

Police and the Prime Minister indicated the teenager was under stress related to his schooling and had clearly planned the assault. Classmates mentioned he was interested in the FBI and guns and had been bullied by other students.

Where did the shooting take place?

The shooting occurred at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, located on the north-western outskirts of Bangkok in Nonthaburi province. The shooter first attacked his grandparents at their home before proceeding to the school.