Thailand school shooting: 5 killed, teen suspect among dead, police say
- At least five people were killed in a shooting at a Thai school, according to police.
- The suspected gunman, a 14-year-old student, is reported to be among the dead.
- Witnesses described harrowing scenes, including a teacher being shot in front of students.
BANGKOK — At least five people were killed in a shooting at a school in Thailand on Friday, police said, in an incident that has shaken the country and left students traumatised.
The suspected gunman, a 14-year-old student, was also reported dead, though authorities have not yet confirmed the full circumstances surrounding his death. Initial reports suggest the toll could be higher, with some local media outlets citing eight fatalities, including the suspect's grandparents.
Witness accounts of terror
A Thai pupil described the harrowing moment a teacher was shot in front of her, as gunfire erupted inside the school premises. Video footage aired by local outlets showed students ducking under desks, their hands covering their heads, as rapid shots rang out in the background.
“We heard loud bangs, and everyone just dropped to the floor,” one student was quoted as saying by a local broadcaster. “Our teacher told us to stay quiet, but then we saw her fall.”
The attack has left the community in a state of shock, with parents rushing to the school to find their children. Police have cordoned off the area, and an investigation is underway to determine how the teenager obtained a weapon and what drove him to commit such an act.
The suspect: a quiet gamer
Neighbours and acquaintances described the 14-year-old as an “avid gamer” and “a good kid,” according to reports from Firstpost. The portrait emerging is one of a seemingly ordinary teenager, which has only deepened the confusion and grief among those who knew him.
“He was quiet, kept to himself, but he was never violent,” a neighbour told reporters. “We are all trying to understand what happened.”
Thai authorities have not yet released an official motive. The police chief leading the investigation said that forensic teams were examining the suspect's background, including his social media activity and any potential links to online communities that glorify violence.
A rare tragedy in Thailand
School shootings are rare in Thailand, though the country has grappled with other forms of gun violence, particularly in its southern provinces. This incident, however, occurred in a central region, far from the conflict zones, making it all the more jarring for the public.
The government has expressed condolences, with officials pledging support for the victims' families. The education ministry has announced counselling services for students and staff at the school, which has been closed until further notice.
Gun ownership in Thailand is relatively common, with an estimated 10 million firearms in civilian hands, many of them unregistered. The ease of access to weapons has been a recurring point of debate in the country, though little has changed in terms of regulation.
What happens next
Police are expected to release more details in the coming days, including a full account of the sequence of events and the final death toll. The investigation will also focus on how the suspect obtained the weapon used in the attack.
As the nation mourns, the focus will shift to whether this tragedy prompts any policy response. For now, the immediate priority remains supporting the survivors — a group of schoolchildren who will carry the memory of this day for the rest of their lives.