On a somber Friday in Nonthaburi, Thailand, a harrowing event unfolded at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School. A student opened fire, resulting in the deaths of three teachers and three students. Several others were injured in the incident.
Royal Thai Police spokesperson Trairong Piwpan revealed to The Associated Press that the shooter is hospitalized in serious condition. Among the wounded individuals, two remain critical.
The shooter, reportedly a student at the school, passed away. Conflicting reports suggest the student either succumbed to injuries after being shot by police or died by suicide, as noted by French news agency AFP. Authorities have discovered a man and woman dead at the suspect’s residence. The motive behind this senseless act remains under investigation, with the firearm believed to be from a family member of the student.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has extended condolences to those affected and emphasized the importance of caring for the victims. Visuals from the scene depicted the emotional aftermath, with people seeking solace. Inside the school, police and first responders conducted their duties amid a tense atmosphere.
A witness recounted the terrifying moments when students took cover in a classroom, hearing gunfire from an adjacent building. Police later facilitated a safe evacuation.
This tragic event falls amid a backdrop of past incidents in Thailand. In February, a 17-year-old committed a similar atrocity at a high school in southern Thailand, resulting in one death and further injuries. Additionally, a 14-year-old was involved in a shooting at a prominent Bangkok shopping mall in 2023.