Thailand teen shooter once brought BB gun to school, say police

BANGKOK, Aug 9 — A 14-year-old boy who killed his grandparents before embarking on a shooting spree at his school in Thailand had previously brought a BB gun to school, according to police. The teenage attacker shot his grandparents using his grandfather's handgun at their home north of Bangkok on Friday, before carrying out the school attack and eventually taking his own life, authorities revealed.

A 12-year-old girl, who was wounded during the school shooting, died on Saturday, while five teachers and school staff lost their lives on Friday. Police interviewed 17 witnesses and are examining the boy's computer and phone to determine the motive behind the attack. Deputy police commander Atthapol Anusit said investigators found evidence the boy had been watching violent videos on social media, and that he brought a BB gun to school last year, which a teacher confiscated.

Witnesses told police the boy had been interested in guns for a year or two, and had learned how to use one by watching content online. The child had lived with his grandparents since the age of two following his parents' separation, Atthapol added. The boy's father expressed regret "to society for what my son did" on Friday. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has stated that the boy experienced school-related stress, and the deceased grandmother was a former teacher who was "quite strict about his studies."

Thailand is known to have one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region, with an estimated 10 million firearms circulating, roughly one for every seven inhabitants. Following the mass shooting, officials have pledged for stricter gun laws, but previous commitments have not halted the recurring incidents.