Teen Gunman Opens Fire at Thai School Near Bangkok, Killing at Least Six Students and Teachers
A 14-year-old student opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School near Bangkok on Friday, killing at least six people including three students and three teachers, and wounding more than 20 others. Police say the gunman allegedly killed his grandparents before the school attack.
What Happened
A teenage gunman went on a rampage at his high school in Thailand on Friday, killing teachers and students. The suspected gunman, 14, stormed the school after allegedly killing his grandmother and grandfather in their home, according to police. At least six people at the school were fatally shot, three of them students and three teachers, police spokesperson Lieutenant General Trairong Phiwphan said. The Royal Thai Police announced a death toll that included the suspected gunman, adding that at least 15 others were injured, two of whom were in serious condition.
Violence and Impact
The youngest victim was just 12 years old, authorities said. Terrified students huddled together under their desks, sobbing as gunshots rang out nearby, video filmed inside a classroom and verified by CNN showed. The shooting occurred at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, a public secondary school that serves grades 7 through 12. The Royal Thai Police said a 9mm handgun was found at the scene and was reported to belong to a member of the suspected shooter's family.
Context and History
School shootings are rare in Thailand, though the country has experienced several deadly mass shootings in recent years. In February, one teacher was killed and three people were injured in a school shooting in the southern Thai province of Songkhla. In October 2022, at least 37 people, including 24 children, were killed in the nation's worst mass shooting in history. Gun laws are strict in Thailand where possession of an illegal firearm carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Laws have tightened after mass shootings in recent years in Thailand, including a requirement for a medical evaluation for those who want to buy a gun or renew their gun license.
Emergency Response
Concerned parents rushed to the school as news of the shooting spread. Emergency services and first responders mobilized across the school campus near Bangkok, with ambulances streaming in and out as authorities assessed the full scope of the tragedy. The incident began at approximately 10 a.m. local time on Friday.