An air gun was seized from a 14-year-old boy linked to a deadly school shooting near Bangkok last year, as stated by the police on Sunday. The Thai government has pledged to implement improved safety measures for schools in response. The teenager had accessed violent online content and utilized social media to learn about firearms.
The boy stands accused of first killing his grandparents at home and then opening fire at his school, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals, including himself. Following the incident, the mother of the teen has expressed her distress over the tragic events.
Atthapol Anusit, deputy commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 1, shared that the perpetrator had shown interest in firearms for approximately one to two years, as per witnesses. The police have interviewed 17 witnesses so far and discovered a knife in the boy’s bag, along with other evidence such as a firearm, spent cartridge cases, and a personal computer.
It was revealed that the child had viewed violent social media content on the computer, although there is no evidence indicating firearm practice. Additionally, a BB gun was confiscated by a teacher last year after the boy brought it to school. The boy had resided with his grandparents for 12 years following his parents’ separation.
The Ministry of Education has announced plans to develop new safety protocols within the next three months, including mental health assessments, emergency response drills, anti-bullying initiatives, and enhanced security measures to prevent unauthorized items from entering schools.
The tragic incident resulted in over 20 injuries, marking Thailand’s deadliest mass shooting since 2022 and sparking discussions on gun control in Southeast Asia’s largest gun-owning nation.
The accused boy’s mother disclosed that she had last seen him during a recent school break and was unaware of his involvement until the day of the shooting. She expressed her concern by sending him messages and attempting to contact him upon hearing the news. She conveyed her deep regret on behalf of her family, emphasizing their shock and disbelief at the unforeseen turn of events.