A 14-year-old student killed his grandparents at their home before opening fire at his school near Bangkok, fatally shooting five people on campus and then taking his own life, according to Thai police. The attack left eight people dead in total, including the teenage gunman, and wounded 22 others.
The shooting occurred on Friday morning at a high school on the outskirts of Bangkok. The teenager first killed his grandparents at their residence before traveling to the school, where he opened fire on students and staff members. Police arrived at both crime scenes to find multiple casualties. Nine people were reported to be in critical condition, according to Thailand's health department.
The incident represents a significant tragedy in Thailand, where school shootings remain relatively uncommon. The attack has raised urgent concerns about gun violence in the country and prompted immediate questions about how the teenager obtained the firearm and what may have motivated the violence.
Emergency responders worked to secure both the residential location and school campus while providing medical assistance to survivors. The school was evacuated and families were directed to designated safe locations to collect their children. Thai police established perimeters around both crime scenes as investigators began collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.
One student who experienced the shooting firsthand described the harrowing experience. According to BBC News reports, a female pupil said she was standing in front of her teacher when the educator was shot. The student had to climb over a school fence to escape the violence.
The tragedy has prompted discussions about school security protocols and firearm access regulations in Thailand. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the sequence of events and establish whether there were any warning signs that could have been detected before the violence occurred.
The shooting comes as Thailand grapples with broader questions about gun violence. While crimes involving firearms are more prevalent in some neighboring countries due to issues like unlicensed weapons proliferation, school shootings have been rare enough in Thailand to shock the local community deeply.
Police initially interviewed witnesses and the suspects in custody, though details about the weapon used and the identities of the victims have not been fully released by officials. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together what led to the attack and whether the teenager had experienced bullying or other grievances that may have contributed to the violence.
The incident has raised alarm among parents and educators about student safety and the mental health challenges facing young people in Thailand's schools.