A 12-year-old girl who sustained critical wounds at a school shooting outside Bangkok on Friday has died, officials said Saturday, bringing the death toll from the attack to at least 8 people. The victim, a seventh-grade student, passed away following hospitalization, according to the Health Ministry.
A 14-year-old student opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, northwest of the Thai capital, around 10 a.m. on Friday before taking his own life. Authorities believe the shooter also killed his two grandparents at their family home earlier that morning.
Five school staff members, including teachers and administrators, were among those killed in the attack. The school had previously posted a message on Facebook seeking urgent blood donations for two students, including the young girl who ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
Bangyai Hospital, located about 3 miles from the school, reported that 23 people were initially wounded. As of Saturday, 14 people remain hospitalized, with seven still in critical condition. Most of those injured are between 12 and 14 years old.
Relatives gathered at Bangkok’s Institute of Forensic Medicine to claim the bodies of eight victims: five school staff, the accused shooter, and his grandparents. Emergency workers loaded the coffins onto ambulances to transport them to their respective hometowns for funeral rites. The young girl’s body is still to be released to her family.
Wiroon Supasingsiripreecha, head of the institute, stated that most victims suffered a single fatal gunshot wound to a vital area, such as the chest or head. He noted that the gunshot wound found on the alleged shooter was consistent with the weapon he used. More detailed forensic findings, including toxicology results, are expected later.
Officials confirmed the weapon, described as a small and compact firearm, was legally registered to the boy’s grandfather. While reports suggested the boy had shown signs of school-related stress, some relatives told Thai media they were unaware of any specific troubles he might have been facing.
A witness described the terror inside the facility, noting that students hid inside a classroom while hearing gunshots from another building. Police officers eventually knocked on the door and cleared a path for them to evacuate safely. Amporn Niamfuang, who owns a nearby restaurant, recalled hearing a single gunshot followed by a pause. “And then there were multiple continuous shots,” she said, describing the scene as students ran in fear and poured onto the street, with young girls holding hands and crying.
The co-educational state school, which serves approximately 3,000 students aged 12 to 18, has suspended all classes until August 14. Mourners laid flowers at the school gate on Saturday, where police remained on guard. Charin Siriananchai, a local resident, visited the site with his two sons to pay respects. “Everyone was saddened and shocked, because it was unexpected that this would happen in Thailand, and also it’s quite a great loss,” he said.
Other parents returned to the school to collect belongings left behind during the chaotic evacuation. One father, who chose to remain anonymous, noted that his son, who was present during the shooting, remains in shock and is struggling to sleep alone. The incident has reignited concerns regarding gun violence in the country.
Thailand maintains one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Asia. Data from 2017 by the Small Arms Survey and GunPolicy.org indicated approximately 15.1 guns per 100 people, significantly higher than in neighboring Malaysia. According to 2023 statistics from the World Population Review, Thailand recorded 3.49 deaths by firearms per 100,000 people, a figure that remains lower than in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean but highlights a persistent regional challenge.
Amporn Niamfuang, who owns a restaurant 160 feet from the school, said there was the sound of a single gunshot and then a pause.
10-14 and school staff were instructed to work from home during that time.
Charin Siriananchai brought his two sons, ages 9 and 6, to pay their respects.
Earlier reports gave conflicting casualty numbers.
He said while his sons do not study here, he lives in the neighborhood and drives past this school almost every day, often stopping to allow students to cross the road.
Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia, second only to Pakistan and far surpassing its Southeast Asian neighbors.
Only the Philippines is higher in Southeast Asia.
Source: CBS News
