Eight people have been killed and more than 20 injured in a school shooting in Thailand. According to police, the gunman was a ninth-grade student who, authorities claim, killed his grandmother and grandfather before the attack.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INCIDENT
The shooting took place at around 10:00 local time at Thepsirin school in the Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok. The gunman, a ninth-grade student, opened fire on fellow pupils, according to BBC.
Police said the attacker died. According to Reuters, he took his own life.
Authorities also said the 9mm pistol used belonged to his grandfather, a retired teacher. Thailand's Ministry of Interior is investigating how the weapon came into the student's possession.
DEATH TOLL FIGURES DISCREPANCY
Health Minister Pattana Promphat said five teachers were killed at the school. He added that, including the gunman himself and his grandmother and grandfather, the total death toll stands at 8.
Meanwhile, AFP news agency, citing police, earlier reported that three teachers and three students were killed at the school. An eyewitness also told the agency they saw the body of a student who had been shot in the head.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INJURED
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said more than 20 people were wounded, with 9 of the injured in a critical condition.
Students and school staff were evacuated after the attack.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE GUNMAN
According to police, the student killed his grandmother and grandfather before the attack. Authorities also said he fired precise shots, aiming at vital parts of the body.
However, details about the teenager remain contradictory. One of the school's teachers told the media that the boy was "a good child with good grades" and had no previous history of aggressive behaviour.
