Teen kills classmates, teachers, and his grandparents in gun rampage
Deadly attack shocks Thailand
A 14-year-old boy allegedly carried out a deadly shooting at a high school in Thailand after police said he first killed his grandparents at their home. Authorities later confirmed that the teenager died after turning the gun on himself.
Police said at least six people were killed inside the school, including three students and three teachers. More than 20 others were injured, while nine were reported to be in critical condition.
Students describe moments of fear
Officials said the youngest victim was only 12 years old. Most of the victims were teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17.
Videos verified by CNN showed frightened students hiding under classroom desks while gunshots echoed through the school. Other footage showed students running from the building as school staff helped them reach safety.
A rescue worker told Reuters, “it was total chaos” when emergency teams arrived at the scene. The worker said first aid was given to students suffering injuries to their backs, chests and arms.
Police investigate the motive
Police said the suspect used his grandfather’s handgun during the attack at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, a secondary school with around 3,000 students in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok. Investigators are continuing to examine what led to the tragedy.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He said, “This is horrible, it shouldn’t have happened.”
An 18-year-old student told Reuters that he first believed the sounds were fireworks. The student said, “Then it started getting more frequent, like ‘bang, bang, bang’ and then it went quiet at one point. And the shooting started again.”
Parents rushed to the school after hearing about the shooting. Ambulances continued arriving as families waited anxiously for updates on their children.
CNN senior travel producer Karla Cripps, whose son studies at the school but was in Japan at the time, described the emotional situation. She said, “My son called me from Japan in a panic, telling me that he’d heard there was a shooting at his school.”
Cripps added that the atmosphere outside the school was filled with grief as parents comforted their children. She also said, “My son heard his friend’s brother is in the hospital right now. He’s among the injured… It’s been terrible for everyone.”
The shooting has raised fresh concerns about school safety and access to firearms. Investigators are expected to focus on the suspect’s background and the events that led to this tragic attack.
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