At least 5 killed and more than 20 injured in Thailand school shooting

A school shooting in Thailand resulted in at least five deaths and over 20 injuries, according to authorities. The incident occurred at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, located northwest of Bangkok. The 14-year-old shooter, who had reportedly killed his two grandparents earlier at their family home, took his own life at the school around 10 a.m. on Friday.

The shooter also targeted five staff members, including teachers and administrators, before the attack. Bangyai Hospital, situated approximately three miles from the school, reported 23 wounded individuals, with ten in critical condition, most of them suffering from gunshot wounds. Initial reports provided varying casualty figures, but a witness described the scene as chaotic, with students hiding in a classroom as they heard gunshots from another building.

The police later cleared the building and allowed the students to evacuate. Amporn Niamfuang, a resident nearby, recounted hearing a single gunshot followed by continuous shooting, leading to a rush of students fleeing the area. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed the shooter's age and cause of death during a visit to the school.

Police identified the firearm as small, compact, and legally registered to the shooter's grandfather. Thailand is known to have one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia, with 15.1 guns per 100 people as of 2017, according to reports from the Small Arms Survey and GunPolicy.org.