Lead
The death toll from a school shooting in Thailand rose to nine on Saturday, after police said a 12-year-old girl caught up in Friday’s incident had died. Police at the Plai Bang Police Station in Nonthaburi Province confirmed the girl, who had been treated at hospital with critical wounds, succumbed to her injuries a day after a 14-year-old boy allegedly shot his grandparents and then killed more people at his school before turning the gun on himself.
Coverage comparison
Reporting by Dawn and The Guardian — World provides overlapping but distinct accounts of the incident. Dawn, citing Thai deputy interior minister Polapee Suwunchwee, initially reported at least four people killed and 15 students injured. The Guardian — World, citing police, later reported that the death toll rose to nine and that the suspected attacker fired at least 26 bullets. Both outlets identify the shooter as a teenage student of the school and note that Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region.
Key claims
* At least four people were killed — two students and two teachers — and 15 students were injured during the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi school, as reported by Dawn. The injured students were hurt while trying to flee, not by gunfire. * The death toll rose to nine after a 12-year-old girl died a day after the incident, according to The Guardian — World, which cited police. * The shooter was a 14-year-old student of the school, as reported by both Dawn and The Guardian — World. The suspect reportedly died by suicide. * The suspected attacker used a handgun, Dawn reported, citing the deputy interior minister. The Guardian — World reported that the gun belonged to the suspect's grandfather and that 26 bullets were fired, with 34 additional rounds found on the suspect. * The suspect’s parents are being questioned by police, as reported by The Guardian — World. * Thailand has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in south-east Asia, with an estimated 10 million firearms in circulation, according to both Dawn and The Guardian — World. The Guardian — World noted that a 2017 Small Arms Survey placed Thailand 13th worldwide for small-gun possession.
Perspectives
Government response: Thailand’s prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has vowed to implement new gun laws, telling reporters only government officials on duty would be allowed to carry guns. However, he did not provide specifics on whether the legislation would tighten gun ownership requirements. Dawn quoted him as saying: “It’s such a terrible incident. It should never have happened. How could this happen in our country?”
Investigation: Police are questioning more witnesses, including the suspect’s parents. The interior ministry is investigating how the student obtained the handgun, Dawn reported. The Guardian — World noted that the suspected attacker remained inside the school after the attack emerged, and a lockdown was declared over in about half an hour.