A 17-year-old gunman shot a teacher and student in a Thai school before being detained, after stealing a police officer’s firearm
HAT YAI: A 17-year-old gunman wounded a teacher and a student at a school in southern Thailand before being detained by authorities.
The suspect entered Patongprathankiriwat School in Songkhla Province’s Hat Yai district appearing agitated, according to a provincial government statement.
Police commander Teerasak Chaiyotha confirmed the suspect has a sister at the school, though a motive remains undetermined.
A female teacher was critically injured and underwent surgery, remaining in intensive care.
A teenage girl was shot in the waist but is now reported to be in stable condition.
Provincial governor Ratthasart Chidchoo said the suspect had attacked a police officer and stolen his firearm.
The governor added the suspect has a history of substance abuse and was discharged from a psychiatric hospital in December.
In a photograph released by police, the barefoot suspect in shorts and a T-shirt is shown pinned to the ground by armed officers.
Video obtained by Reuters shows armed police storming the three-storey school building as gunfire rings out.
Another video depicts students running down staircases while police in tactical gear shout instructions for them to go home.
Gun violence is not uncommon in Thailand, which has experienced severe school attacks in the past.
In 2002, a former police officer killed 36 people, including 22 children, in a gun-and-knife attack at a nursery in the country’s east.
