In a tragic incident that has shocked Thailand, a 14-year-old student opened fire at his school in Nonthaburi province, killing five teachers and his grandparents before turning the gun on himself. The attack occurred on Friday morning, Aug. 7, at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School, located on the outskirts of Bangkok.
According to local police, the teenager first killed his grandparents at their home before arriving at the school just after 10 a.m. local time. The BBC reported, citing health minister Pattana Promphat, that five victims, all teachers, were killed at the school. This brings the total death toll to eight, including the suspected shooter and his grandparents.
Emergency Response and Hospitalizations
Thailand's Ministry of Health reported on Facebook that 22 people had been hospitalized following the incident. Emergency worker Kiatikhun Verapongpradith, 47, confirmed that students were among the injured, telling Reuters that they had treated students with injuries to the chest, back, and arms.
The shooter used a 9mm firearm, believed to have been owned by a family member, police said in a translated Facebook post. The gun reportedly belonged to the suspect's grandfather, and the teenager was allegedly found with at least 34 additional rounds of ammunition, according to the BBC, citing police.
Witness Accounts and Video Footage
A video from the scene shows students hiding under tables and whimpering in fear while the teenage gunman is seen stalking the hallway outside classrooms. A female eighth grader from the school told the BBC that she had been standing in front of one of the teachers when they were shot.
“I couldn’t see anything but a [cloud] of dust. He walked from room to room. My desk was very close to the teacher. I had to climb over the school fence to escape with other friends,” she told the outlet.
Investigation and Possible Motive
Evidence gathered so far suggests that the suspected shooter was an avid gamer and lived with his grandparents, the BBC reported, citing Thailand’s deputy interior minister Polapee Suwanchawee. After shooting the victims, he turned the gun on himself and died on the way to the hospital, the outlet stated.
The incident has raised concerns about school safety and gun control in Thailand, where private ownership of firearms is relatively common. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the shooting, which has left the nation in mourning.
