At least seven people were killed and dozens injured on Friday when a student opened fire at a school in Thailand before turning the gun on himself.
According to Thai police officials, a mass shooting incident took place at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School in the Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi province, on the northwestern outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand.
The incident took place around 10:00 a.m. local time, after a Grade 9 student wearing uniform opened fire inside the school. He barricaded himself on an upper floor before the incident concluded
Authorities reported that the suspect used a handgun, firing dozens of rounds before the situation was brought under control.
One 18-year-old student told Reuters he initially thought there were firecrackers going off or someone banging an object.
“I didn’t think it was a gun at first,” he said. “There were many shots: bang bang bang. Then it went quiet. Then it started again.”
Lt. Col. Trirong Phophan, a spokesman for the National Police confirmed the suspected shooter was among the seven people killed.
Police later discovered that the suspect had also shot and killed his grandparents at their home prior to arriving at the school, bringing the total related death toll higher.
Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong told Reuters that both teachers and students were among those reported dead. Police identified the perpetrator as a student.
It is the second school shooting in Thailand this year after a teacher died and a student was injured in the south of the country in February.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed shock and grief over the tragedy, which comes amid heightened concerns over gun violence and school safety in the country.
