Seven die in Nonthaburi school massacre after suspected Grade 9 student kills grandparents first before opening fire, leaving three teachers, three students and himself dead as police probe Thailand’s worst school shooting in years.
A suspected Grade 9 student left a trail of death stretching from his family home to Debsirin Nonthaburi School on Friday after police believe he shot dead his grandparents before killing six people and wounding at least 15 others during a gun rampage inside the campus. The teenager was later found dead after barricading himself inside the school’s pink building, as investigators opened twin crime scenes, questioned his father and raced to reconstruct a horrific school shooting.
Seven people were killed and at least 15 others injured after a suspected student opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district on Friday morning. Police later uncovered an even darker sequence of events. Detectives believe the suspect had already shot dead his grandparents at the family home before launching the attack on the school.
The first emergency calls came at about 10 am. Volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation received reports of gunfire inside the well-known secondary school. Within minutes, police, rescue teams and emergency medical crews converged on the campus.
Officers pushed inside as terrified students and teachers fled classrooms. In response, a security cordon was thrown around the school while evacuations gathered pace.
Student in PE uniform opens fire as panic grips Debsirin Nonthaburi School and police race to the site
According to a student inside the campus, the gunman wore a purple physical education uniform. The witness said he fired dozens of rounds across the school grounds. Panic spread almost immediately. Students ran for cover as teachers tried to move others away from the danger. Meanwhile, rescue workers prepared for multiple casualties.
Initial reports confirmed six deaths inside the school. However, the toll climbed after police reached the third floor of the school’s pink building.
There, officers found the suspected gunman dead. Police said he was reportedly a Mathayom 3, or Grade 9, student. He had barricaded himself inside before officers closed in. Investigators believe he died from self-inflicted wounds.
According to preliminary information, three teachers and three students were among those killed inside the school. At least 15 other people suffered injuries. They were taken to hospitals across the area for treatment. Notably, officials had not released details of their conditions by Friday afternoon. The identities of those killed also remained undisclosed.
Police discover slain grandparents at suspect’s home as investigators open a second major crime scene
As officers secured the campus, detectives opened a second crime scene. Police travelled to a house in Soi Wat Lat Pladuk, identified as the suspected shooter’s family home. There, investigators uncovered two more bodies during their initial examination of the property.
Police said the suspect’s grandfather was found shot dead in the kitchen. His grandmother was discovered shot dead in a bedroom. Separately, forensic teams began documenting evidence throughout the house. Investigators believe both victims were killed before the attack at the school.
The discovery dramatically widened the investigation. Detectives are now reconstructing the suspect’s movements before the school shooting. They are examining evidence from both locations to establish the complete sequence of events.
On another front, the suspect’s father arrived at Debsirin Nonthaburi School as the investigation intensified. Police took him in for questioning soon afterwards. Detectives are seeking to establish what happened before the shootings and whether anyone had prior knowledge of the suspect’s actions.
Forensic teams examine both crime scenes as police seek motive and reconstruct the deadly timeline
In parallel, forensic officers continued processing both crime scenes. Detectives gathered witness statements and collected physical evidence from the school and the family home. Police have not disclosed details of the firearm used. They have also not explained how it was obtained. Likewise, investigators have not announced a motive.
Authorities urged the public to stop livestreaming the incident as the operation continued. Officers warned the broadcasts could interfere with emergency crews and police tactics.
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At the same time, people were asked to avoid the area around the school until the operation was complete.
By Friday afternoon, officers remained at both locations. Investigators continued piecing together the timeline from the grandparents’ deaths to the final moments inside the school’s pink building. Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
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