NONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) – A tragic shooting occurred at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, located outside Bangkok, on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuring over 20 others. Authorities reported that the 14-year-old shooter had also killed his two grandparents earlier in the morning at their family home before proceeding to the school.
The shooter, who took his own life after the attack, commenced his assault around 10 a.m., targeting school staff members, including teachers and administrators. Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee confirmed the grim details at the scene, noting the chaos that unfolded during the shooting.
According to Bangyai Hospital, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the school, 23 people were reported injured, with 10 individuals listed in critical condition due to gunshot wounds. Initial reports had varied regarding the number of casualties, highlighting the confusion immediately following the shooting.
Witness accounts describe a scene of terror as students attempted to hide from the gunfire. One witness stated that students were huddled inside a classroom, hearing the gunshots erupt from a nearby building. Police later cleared the area, allowing terrified students to escape. Amporn Niamfuang, a restaurant owner located merely 50 meters (160 feet) from the school, recounted the sound of a single gunshot followed by a series of rapid-fire shots, resulting in students fleeing into the streets, visibly distraught.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the school and confirmed that the shooter was just 14 years old and had taken his own life. He noted that the student had exhibited signs of stress related to his academic environment. The firearm used in the attack was legally registered to his grandfather, as verified by officials.
In the aftermath of the shooting, individuals gathered outside the school to offer support and comfort to one another while police and first responders worked diligently at the scene. With the school catering to approximately 3,000 students aged 12 to 18, classes have been suspended from August 10 to August 14, with staff directed to work from home during this period.
When police visited the shooter's family home, they discovered both grandparents deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. It is believed the boy killed them before attending school as if it were a normal day. After classes began, he initiated the shooting in his classroom before venturing out to fire additional rounds. Reports indicate that he discharged over 20 shots and still possessed 30 rounds of ammunition after taking his own life.
Insights from family members revealed that the shooter typically kept to himself and was regarded as a good student. Relatives indicated they were largely unaware of any personal troubles he may have been facing at home or school, raising further questions about the motivations behind this tragic event.
Thailand ranks as one of the countries with the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia, second only to Pakistan and significantly higher than its Southeast Asian neighbors. Data compiled in 2017 showed civilian gun ownership in Thailand at approximately 15.1 guns per 100 people, contrasting sharply with Malaysia, which has fewer than one per 100. According to statistics from the World Population Review in 2023, Thailand experienced 3.49 deaths by firearms per 100,000 people, positioning it ahead of many nations in Asia in terms of gun-related incidents.
This incident is not isolated; previous events include a shooting at a public high school in southern Thailand earlier this year by a 17-year-old, who briefly took hostages. Additionally, a 14-year-old was implicated in a shooting at a major shopping mall in Bangkok in 2023, highlighting a concerning trend in gun violence among youth in the region.
