A tragic shooting at a school in southern Thailand on Wednesday left one person dead and two others injured, after an 18-year-old suspect allegedly opened fire and briefly took teachers and Students hostage. Authorities confirmed that the accused has been arrested and is currently in police custody.
The incident occurred in the Hat Yai district of Songkhla province, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement agencies. According to police officials, the teenage gunman fired multiple shots inside the school premises, creating panic among staff and students.
School Director Killed, Teacher and Student Injured
Officials confirmed that the school director was killed in the attack. Two others — including a teacher and a student — sustained injuries and were rushed for medical treatment. Their current condition has not been officially disclosed.
Police further stated that several teachers and students were briefly held hostage during the incident. Security forces successfully secured the building and rescued all hostages alive, except for the deceased school director.
Suspect Overpowered by Armed Officers
Authorities later apprehended the 18-year-old suspect inside the school compound. A photograph released by police showed armed officers restraining the suspect on the ground. He was seen barefoot, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, as officers secured him.
Eyewitness videos circulating on Social Media showed armed police officers entering the three-storey school building while gunfire could be heard in the background. In another clip, students were seen descending staircases as heavily armed officers wearing black bulletproof vests and helmets instructed them, saying, “Go home kids, it’s safe.”
The authenticity of these videos, however, could not be independently verified by India Today Digital.
Reports Suggest Prior Violent Behavior
Local media reports, cited by the Bangkok Post, indicated that police were initially alerted about an 18-year-old male behaving violently prior to the hostage situation. According to preliminary accounts, the suspect had allegedly attempted to harm his mother before the school incident unfolded.
Reports further claim that the teenager gained access to an assault rifle by taking it from one of the responding police officers during the chaotic situation. Authorities have not yet provided a detailed official account confirming this sequence of events.
Eyewitnesses suggested that the suspect may have been searching for a specific teacher who had previously reprimanded his younger sister. Investigators are currently examining possible motives behind the attack.
Thailand’s Ongoing Concerns Over Gun Violence
Gun ownership and firearm-related violence remain significant concerns in Thailand. The country witnessed one of its deadliest mass attacks in 2022, when a former police officer killed 36 people — including 22 children — in a gun-and-knife assault at a nursery.
Wednesday’s School Shooting has once again raised questions about firearm access, Mental health interventions, and campus security measures in the region.
Authorities have assured that a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the exact sequence of events and accountability in the case. Further updates are expected as officials continue their inquiry.
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