A 15-year-old student was detained after allegedly firing eight shots at a school in Kamphaeng Phet province, Thailand, on Wednesday, with teachers and students forced to flee or take shelter.
The incident happened at about 2pm while students were changing classes. No injuries were reported.
Police and rescue volunteers entered the school and brought the situation under control before taking the student into custody.
According to information released by the school, the student fired eight shots into the air. However, separate reports from the scene said bullets damaged a teacher’s car and a glass door.
Police recovered spent cartridge cases near a security booth at the school entrance, along with additional spent and unfired ammunition near a physical education building.
A school security guard said the student entered through the front gate carrying a 9mm handgun before firing a shot that narrowly missed him. The student then continued further into the school grounds.
A physical education teacher said he heard the gunfire while students were changing classes and immediately focused on getting them away from the area.
The teacher later came face to face with the student and helped move other students into an auditorium, where they were able to take shelter safely, The Straits Times reported.
Police, rescue workers and education officials subsequently confirmed that no students, teachers or others at the school had been injured.
Kamphaeng Phet Governor Chatip Rujanaseri, Deputy Governor Suwanit Suriyakul Na Ayutthaya, along with police, military personnel and other government agencies, later arrived at the school to oversee security and support parents waiting for information.
The student had reportedly not attended classes since Aug 21 after being placed on leave while receiving treatment for depression. A medical follow-up appointment had been scheduled for Sept 4.
The school had also become aware of a potential warning on Aug 19 after learning that the student had sent messages to a friend saying he would come to the school at 10am on Aug 20 to cause an incident.
School officials subsequently contacted the student and his parents for discussions.
During the meeting, the student denied intending to carry out an attack, saying the messages had been part of a conversation while playing a game.
The shooting nevertheless took place nearly two weeks later, on Sept 2.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances and motive behind the incident.
As the student is a minor, he will be questioned in the presence of a multi-disciplinary team in accordance with procedures for juvenile cases.
Police are also examining the firearm, ammunition and other evidence recovered from the school grounds, including the reported damage to the teacher’s vehicle and glass door.
The student’s identity and the name of the school have not been disclosed.
The school will suspend on-site classes for two days and conduct lessons online during that period.
Officials said safety arrangements would be reviewed before students return to normal classroom learning, while education authorities are also providing psychological and welfare support and reassuring parents following the incident.
