Teen Gunman Kills 8 in Thailand School Rampage After Grandparents’ Deaths

(Medics Performing CPR. Photo by The Times)

A teenage gunman described as troubled took the lives of eight people during a rampage inside a secondary school after allegedly murdering his grandparents beforehand.

The suspect, believed to be 14 years old, reportedly obtained his grandfather’s handgun before opening fire within the school he attended on the outskirts of Bangkok.

Three teachers and three students lost their lives in the attack, with at least 15 others sustaining injuries at the institution.

The incident began around 10:40 a.m. local time, with the shooter discharging 26 rounds across multiple classrooms during the rampage.

Responding officers located the suspect deceased inside the school premises.

The ninth-grade student was witnessed moving through hallways armed with a 9mm firearm while fellow students sought shelter within classrooms.

A 17-year-old student present during the incident described the shooter as someone he sensed was troubled, noting that acquaintances had mentioned the suspect’s interest in law enforcement and firearms, along with reports that he experienced bullying from other students.

The witness recalled observing the shooter’s demeanor during the attack, describing it as unsettlingly composed.

Investigators recovered an additional 34 rounds of ammunition within a bag discovered at the scene alongside the firearm.

The suspect was reportedly dressed in athletic attire when he barricaded himself within a room during the incident.

Footage captured during the lockdown showed students and staff sheltering beneath desks while others managed to escape through windows amid the gunfire.

Numerous individuals fled onto surrounding streets as law enforcement personnel entered the building to locate the suspect and secure the premises.

Students and staff members trapped within the campus were evacuated immediately following the incident, with several injuries occurring among those attempting to flee, according to a deputy interior minister.

Officials confirmed that the suspect’s grandparents were discovered deceased at their residence, with investigators believing their deaths occurred shortly before the school attack and preliminary findings suggesting the teenager was responsible.

The firearm recovered at the school reportedly belonged to the grandfather.

A police official overseeing the investigation urged members of the public and parents to avoid the area and rely on official information channels.

Thailand’s Prime Minister expressed condolences regarding the tragedy, describing the incident as deeply troubling and questioning how such an event could occur within the country.

Firearms remain accessible in Thailand through retail outlets and black-market channels.

The nation has experienced previous school-related shooting incidents, including an occurrence in February when a gunman opened fire and took hostages within a school in Songkhla province, resulting in one teacher’s death.

In 2022, a separate attacker killed 37 people, including 24 children, during an assault on a nursery school in Bua Lamphu province.