Death toll in Thailand school shooting rises to 8 after 12-year-old girl dies

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - BANGKOK — A 12-year-old schoolgirl died from critical wounds sustained in a shooting at a high school outside Bangkok, raising the death toll from the attack to at least eight, Thai authorities said Sunday.

The 14-year-old gunman opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, northwest of Bangkok, at around 10 a.m. Friday before apparently taking his own life. Authorities said he also appeared to have killed his grandparents at their home earlier that morning.

The 12-year-old girl died after being hospitalized, Thailand’s Health Ministry said. The school had appealed for blood donations Friday for two injured students, including the girl, who was in seventh grade.

Fourteen people remained hospitalized Saturday, seven of them in critical condition, according to the Health Ministry. Most of those wounded were between 12 and 14 years old.

Relatives collected the bodies of eight people from Bangkok’s Institute of Forensic Medicine, including five school staff members, the suspected shooter and his two grandparents. The girl's body had yet to be released.

Wiroon Supasingsiripreecha, head of the institute, said most of the victims suffered a single fatal gunshot wound to a vital area, including the chest or head.

He said the gunshot wound sustained by the suspected shooter was consistent with the weapon he had used. More detailed forensic findings, including toxicology results, are expected later.

Officials said the small, compact firearm used in the attack was legally registered to the boy’s grandfather.

There have been reports that the teenager, who lived with his grandparents, had shown signs of stress related to school, although relatives told Thai media they were unaware of any problems he might have been facing.

Debsirin Nonthaburi School, a co-educational state school with about 3,000 students aged 12 to 18, said classes would be suspended from Aug. 10 to 14, with staff instructed to work from home.

Mourners laid flowers at the school gates Saturday, while some parents returned with their children to collect belongings left behind during the shooting.

One father said his son, who was at the school during the attack, remained in shock and was unable to sleep alone.

Thailand has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Asia. While mass shootings remain relatively uncommon, the country has experienced several high-profile shooting incidents in recent years.