Five teachers died at the school, while the student suspect and two grandparents also died; 22 people were injured, nine seriously
The eight fatalities include five teachers killed at the school, the student suspect who died in the hospital, and his grandparents who were found deceased at their home.
A total of 22 people were injured, with nine cases classified as serious, including two children who were placed in intensive care.
The firearm used in the attack was legally registered to the student's grandfather, who was one of the victims found at the family home.
A motive for the attacks at both the school and the family home has not yet been established, and police are continuing to investigate.
Eight deaths have now been linked to the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, while 22 people were injured, according to updated information from government officials on Friday (August 7).
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee said after a meeting with Nonthaburi Governor Chettha Mosikarat, police and other agencies that five people had died at the school and all were teachers. The student suspect later died after being taken to hospital, while his grandparents were found dead at their home.
Police believe the incident at the family home may have occurred before the school attack, but investigators have yet to establish a motive for either event.
The firearm involved was legally registered to the student’s grandfather, according to Polapee. Police are continuing to examine evidence from both locations to establish how the events were connected.
Police reconstruct timeline and examine phone
Investigators recovered a mobile phone from the school’s green building, believed to be one of the locations involved in the attack, but have been unable to access it because it is locked.
Officials are trying to establish the number used by the student and obtain relevant communication and data records from the service provider as part of the investigation.
Police are also reviewing CCTV footage inside the school to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Polapee said preliminary discussions with a school counsellor portrayed the student as academically capable, involved in school activities and having friends. The counsellor did not describe him as aggressive.
Gaming equipment was also found at the family home. Polapee said the student was known to enjoy playing games and suggested he may have spent considerable time gaming, although no link between gaming and the attack has been established. The school counsellor said he would stop when asked and had not displayed aggressive behaviour.
Officials also have no confirmed finding that the student had been receiving treatment for a mental-health condition.
Public Health Minister Pattana said police were still investigating information concerning previous discussions between the student’s family and the school.
Polapee said the school counsellor had not identified such a condition and that officials had not found medication for an underlying condition at the home.
Nine seriously injured, two children in intensive care
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said 22 people were injured, with nine classified as serious cases — seven children and two adults.
Polapee had earlier referred to around 10 red-category cases. Pattana’s later update put the figure at nine.
Bang Kruai Hospital and Bang Yai Hospital are providing most of the initial treatment. Patients requiring further care can be transferred to Phranangklao Hospital or Phramongkutklao Hospital.
Two children were in intensive care.
Pattana said health authorities were providing both physical and psychological care and had deployed seven teams to assess and support those affected.
For psychological support, authorities have divided people into three groups according to their proximity to the incident. Those directly involved are in the red group; school personnel, students and parents are in the yellow group; and people living in the surrounding area are in the green group.
Mental-health teams led by Srithanya Hospital are also involved.
The response will be divided into two stages. While the school remains closed, teams will visit affected students at home. Once classes resume, mental-health personnel will return to the school to provide activities and support as students adjust to being back in class.
Motive remains under investigation
Polapee said police were still trying to determine why the incidents occurred at both the family home and the school.
He thanked local police for reaching the school quickly and said investigators were continuing to examine CCTV footage, evidence at the home and other information needed to establish the full timeline.
He also reiterated the prime minister’s restrictive policy towards firearms and permits to carry them, while noting that the firearm involved in this case was legally registered rather than an illegal weapon.
Police will continue examining the family home and other evidence as they work to establish the motive and sequence of events.
