Suspected shooter researched US school shooting, police say

Police said the 14-year-old student believed to have carried out the deadly shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School had searched for and studied a school shooting in the United States, according to evidence recovered from the student’s computer. Investigators are also examining whether any issues at school contributed to the attack.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the government would press ahead with tighter gun controls, saying the shooting reinforced its policy of restricting firearm permits. He said the government would seek legal amendments to strengthen gun laws and urged local officials to strictly enforce existing restrictions on carrying firearms.
Relatives described the student as quiet and withdrawn. The student’s aunt said he had been raised by his grandparents after his parents separated, had few friends and spent most of his free time playing video games. The student’s uncle said he had only seen the boy play Minecraft, had never seen him handle a gun and did not know how he obtained the key to the wardrobe where his grandfather kept the handgun used in the attack.
The shooting has drawn international attention to Thailand’s high rate of civilian gun ownership and history of mass shootings, including the 2022 Nong Bua Lamphu childcare centre massacre and the 2023 Siam Paragon mall shooting.
[Update] Juvenile offenders getting younger, more violent, justice chief says after school shooting
Children are committing more violent crimes at younger ages and have easier access to firearms than in the past, the head of Thailand’s juvenile justice agency said following the deadly shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School.
Komol Prompheng, director-general of the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection, said drug offences remain the most common juvenile crime, but offences against life and bodily harm rank second and are closely linked to firearm access. Firearms offences rank fourth but often overlap with violent crimes.
Komol said family breakdown, poverty and children being raised by relatives instead of parents are among the most common factors seen in juvenile offenders. He also urged parents to seek mental health care if children show signs of emotional or behavioural problems.
Department data show 11,827 juveniles entered the justice system for offences against life and bodily harm over the past five years, compared with 14,331 drug offences and 10,791 property crimes. High-profile juvenile cases have increasingly involved violent attacks driven by revenge, anger and personal disputes.