DistantNews
Support us
🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

Thailand school shooting probe finds violent games and US school-shooting searches

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Thai police are investigating the online activity of a 14-year-old suspect in a school shooting, examining his searches for information on a US school shooting and violent video games.
  • The suspect is believed to have killed his grandparents before going to the school, where his firearm was legally registered to his grandfather.
  • Investigators are still working to establish a motive and determine if the online activity contributed to the attacks, considering factors like potential school issues.

Thai police are delving into the digital life of a 14-year-old suspect in a fatal school shooting, scrutinizing his internet searches for details on a US school massacre and his engagement with violent video games. The investigation aims to uncover the motive behind the attack, which also saw the suspect allegedly kill his grandparents at their home before proceeding to Debsirin Nonthaburi School.

Police have not established that the games or search history caused or motivated the shootings. Investigators are continuing to examine possible factors, including whether there were problems involving the teenager at school.

— PoliceRegarding the suspect's computer and search history.

Investigators are meticulously analyzing the teenager's computer, with preliminary findings revealing searches related to a US school shooting conducted around July 30. While the suspect's violent game history and online searches are being examined, police emphasize they have not yet established a causal link to the shootings. The firearm used in the incident was legally registered to the suspect's grandfather.

Information provided to police by the teenager’s uncle indicated that he had lived with his grandparents since childhood, spent considerable time playing computer games and generally kept to himself. The relative reported no known history of disputes or obvious signs of stress before the incident.

— Police report citing uncleDescribing the suspect's background.

Family members described the teenager as quiet and solitary, spending much of his time playing computer games. His uncle noted no history of disputes or obvious stress. His grandmother, Thananyaporn, who was the younger sister of his late grandfather, stated that the boy lived with his grandparents, who raised him with great affection after his parents separated. She expressed disbelief that such an event could occur, describing the boy as quiet and polite, and her grandmother as a teacher and his grandfather a former bank manager who were very close to him.

The firearm involved was legally registered to the teenager’s grandfather, according to the report.

— PoliceOn the weapon used in the shooting.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog