A 14-year-old boy responsible for a deadly school shooting near Bangkok had previously had an air rifle confiscated by a teacher and viewed violent online content, according to police statements released on Sunday. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has prompted the government to announce enhanced safety measures for educational institutions.
Investigations into the attack, which involved the killing of his grandparents at home followed by six fatalities at his school, with the perpetrator ultimately taking his own life, revealed that the teenager utilized social media platforms to acquire knowledge on firearm usage, as reported by investigators.
Witness interviews indicate the perpetrator had begun expressing interest in firearms approximately one to two years prior, according to Atthapol Anusit, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, who spoke to the media regarding the case.
Despite these findings, the boy’s mother, who requested anonymity, described him as a “bright and cheerful” individual, noting his normal behavior. She inquired if he had experienced bullying, to which he consistently replied in the negative, indicating no unusual circumstances.
Atthapol confirmed that police have interviewed 17 witnesses thus far. Evidence recovered from the crime scenes included a knife discovered in the boy’s backpack, along with a firearm, spent cartridge cases, and a personal computer. Analysis of the device revealed the teen had accessed social media content depicting violence; however, investigators have yet to establish any proof of target practice.
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