AMN
BANGKOK, THAILAND — A 14-year-old student shot and killed his grandparents at their home on Friday morning before carrying out a deadly mass shooting at his high school just outside of Bangkok, Thai authorities have confirmed. The teenager later died by suicide after turning the gun on himself.
According to reports the suspect used his grandfather’s legally registered handgun to kill his grandparents at dawn. He then boarded a school van to Debsirin Nonthaburi School, where he opened fire during his second class of the day.
At least five school staff members and teachers were killed at the campus, bringing the total death toll to at least seven people. Additionally, 23 people were wounded during the chaos, with several reported to be in critical condition.
Emergency responders found the 14-year-old shooter on the fourth floor of the school with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was rushed to the hospital but died shortly after. Police recovered the handgun and an additional 34 rounds of ammunition from his possession.
While the investigation is still ongoing, preliminary reports indicate that the teenager may have been dealing with severe academic stress and bullying. Authorities also noted that he had recently been watching videos of school shootings in the United States.
Aftermath and Response
The attack is one of Thailand’s deadliest mass shootings in recent years, shaking a nation that already has one of the highest civilian gun ownership rates in Southeast Asia. In response to the tragedy, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the school, expressed his condolences, and vowed to introduce strict new firearms control legislation.