Thailand: The death toll in Friday's school shooting in Thailand's Nonthaburi province has risen to seven after a student allegedly opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School before turning the gun on himself, according to Thai authorities. The incident occurred in Bang Kruai district, around 20 kilometres northwest of Bangkok, and has sent shockwaves across the country.
Gunman Shot Grandparents At Home Before School Shooting
According to a Times of India report quoting police, the gunman first shot and killed his grandparents at their home before travelling to the school, where he opened fire on students and teachers. Authorities said the student fired 26 rounds, while an additional 34 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the scene during the investigation.
Chaotic scenes unfolded at the school as students fled the campus while emergency responders rushed the injured to hospitals. Photographs released by rescue workers showed victims being treated outside ambulances, while distraught teachers embraced one another in tears following the attack.
Thailand's Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong told Reuters that both students and teachers were among those killed in the shooting. Police identified the attacker as a student who allegedly barricaded himself on the third floor of the school building before later dying by suicide. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the motive behind the attack and are examining the sequence of events leading up to the shooting.
Second School Shooting This Year
The tragedy marks Thailand's second school shooting this year, following an incident in the country's south in February in which a teacher was killed and a student was injured. The latest attack has renewed concerns over school safety and access to firearms in the country.
