Nonthaburi School Shooting: Police Probe Multiple Factors, Including Online Activity and Access to Firearms

Authorities in Nonthaburi, Thailand, are investigating multiple potential factors behind a deadly school shooting, including personal stress, family issues, online activity, and the suspect’s access to firearms. National Police spokesperson Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan stated that the suspect arrived at the school as usual before leaving the classroom and carrying out the attack. Police have inspected two key locations tied to the investigation: the suspect’s home and the school. At the residence, officers discovered two deceased family members, believed to be the suspect’s grandparents, who investigators initially suspect died as a result of the suspect’s actions. At the school, the area was sealed off for forensic teams to collect evidence, while police coordinated with hospitals to confirm details about the injured and deceased. Authorities later confirmed that eight people died in total, including school personnel and staff members, as well as the suspect. No students were confirmed dead. Over 30 people were injured, many sustaining minor injuries during the escape. Nine victims remain under close medical observation, some with gunshot wounds. Police are continuing to interview witnesses, relatives, and individuals close to the suspect, while examining electronic evidence collected from the suspect’s home. Investigators found that the suspect had engaged in online gaming involving firearms, such as World of Tanks (WoT) and Roblox, and had searched for information related to violent incidents. Police are examining whether these activities are connected to the motive behind the attack. Friends told investigators that the suspect had previously complained about stress related to schoolwork, homework, and strict expectations from family and school. However, police stated there is currently no confirmed evidence that the suspect was bullied or had conflicts with classmates. Regarding possible firearms training, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong said police have not found evidence of formal weapons training. However, officers will continue investigating whether the suspect learned about firearms through other sources, noting the ease of access to weapon information online. Investigators reconstructed the sequence of events, finding that the suspect brought the firearm into the school inside a bag. The suspect reportedly fired until the first magazine was empty before switching to a second. More than 30 rounds of ammunition were found remaining. Police are also checking the origin of the firearm and any history of mental health treatment for the suspect. No confirmed information has been reported on this issue so far. Following the incident, the Royal Thai Police ordered all units nationwide to strengthen enforcement against illegal carrying of firearms in public areas, including weapons that may be legally owned but are not permitted to be carried outside authorized locations. Police checkpoints have been instructed to strictly enforce firearm laws to prevent similar incidents. Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong reiterated that investigators are not ruling out any possible motives, including the influence of online content, gaming activity, or potential social conflicts. Officers are continuing to review evidence, including online searches and digital records, to determine the cause of the attack. Investigators also found that the suspect had viewed news reports about a mass shooting in the United States on July 30, 2026, which is among the details being examined as part of the ongoing investigation. (TNA)