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Teenager kills seven in Thailand school shooting before suicide
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic /Culture & Society

Teenager kills seven in Thailand school shooting before suicide

From Diario Libre · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A 14-year-old boy killed his grandparents and five others at his school in Thailand.
  • Authorities revised the death toll to seven, including the perpetrator who died by suicide.
  • The student was described as troubled and under pressure, with peers reporting bullying and an interest in firearms.

A 14-year-old boy, described by classmates as troubled and bullied, killed his grandparents and five others at his school in Thailand on Friday before dying by suicide. Authorities initially reported eight deaths but revised the toll to seven: the two grandparents, two teachers, and three school staff members.

I heard so many gunshots, very loud, because it sounded like the shooter was on the floor just above. I could even hear the shell casings hitting the floor and the sound of metal.

— Pawarisa MaylissaA student describing the sounds during the attack.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated the attacker had "clearly planned" the assault and was a student under pressure. More than 30 people were injured, nine critically. "I heard so many gunshots, very loud, because it sounded like the shooter was on the floor just above. I could even hear the shell casings hitting the floor and the sound of metal," recounted student Pawarisa Maylissa. Another student, Purin Khumchoo, 17, who narrowly escaped, said the attacker "seemed very professional, as if he had been training for a long time."

I was afraid of dying and not being able to pursue my dreams.

— Pawarisa MaylissaA student describing her fear during the attack.

Fifteen students were injured while fleeing the scene, according to Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee. Witnesses described scenes of panic, with thousands of students running out of the school, some barefoot. The Prime Minister noted the legally registered pistol was kept at home but the boy "managed to access it somehow." He called it a "terrible incident that should never have happened."

He was a disturbed boy. My group of friends, who knew him, said he was interested in the FBI and guns, and that many other students bullied him.

— Purin KhumchooA 17-year-old student describing the alleged gunman.

Thailand has a high rate of gun ownership, with about 10 million firearms in circulation, roughly one for every seven people. Previous promises to tighten gun laws have not prevented recurring shootings.

When I saw him aiming the gun at me, I thought he looked very professional, as if he had been training for a long time.

— Purin KhumchooA student describing his observation of the gunman.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Diario Libre in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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