School Shooting: Police Cite Multiple Factors, Not Single Cause

Evidence shows interest in guns, violent online content beginning 2 years ago PUBLISHED : 9 Aug 2026 at 16:40 WRITER: Online Reporters The deadly attack by a student at Debsirin Nonthaburi School appears to have resulted from a combination of factors such as family problems, issues at school, academic pressure, conflicts with friends and exposure to violent online content, a senior police officer said on Sunday. Investigators had questioned 17 witnesses - teachers, classmates and close friends of the student. Evidence gathered so far suggested Friday’s shooting was not triggered by a single issue, Pol Maj Gen Atthapol Anusit, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, said after a meeting to review the progress of the investigation. "We found that several factors may have combined, including family issues, studies, friendships and the consumption of violent content on social media," Pol Maj Gen Atthapol said. The investigation, he said, was focused on identifying the underlying causes of the attack. Police had learned that the 14-year-old's parents had separated when he was very young. He had been raised by his grandparents since the age of two. The grandparents were earlier reported to be his first victims on Friday, killed with the grandfather's handgun. Pol Maj Gen Atthapol said investigators were also looking into issues related to school life, friendships and reports of possible bullying or conflict with teachers, although no conclusions had been reached. Authorities say they are seeking to establish the facts and restore confidence among students, parents and staff, while Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Saturday urged the public not to speculate that bullying alone was responsible for the tragedy. - Online evidence under review - According to Pol Maj Gen Atthapol, forensic examination of the suspect's old mobile phone and computer found that he had viewed violent online content and developed an interest in guns in the past year or two. During that time he had learned about the use of firearms from online media, although investigators found no evidence that he had attended a shooting range or received formal firearms training. The young teenager had, however, purchased a BB gun online last year and later took it to school, where it was confiscated by teachers. He had also previously taken a knife to school in his school bag. Reports that he wrote about or produced drawings featuring firearms had not been verified to date. Pol Maj Gen Atthapol said parents, teachers and guardians should pay closer attention to children's behaviour and online activities. "Sometimes young people try to tell us about their problems, but we may not pay enough attention. We may not know what they are thinking or searching for, especially when social media is so easily accessible," he said. - Timeline reconstructed - During the two-hour case review meeting, police divided the attack into four stages as follows. Stage 1: Initial attack The suspect arrived at school, took part in the morning flag-raising ceremony and later fatally shot a teacher in Classroom 3/8 on the sixth floor at 9.53am. Stage 2: Attacks on the sixth and fifth floors After shooting the first teacher he moved to Room 565, where two teachers were killed and one student also shot. At 9.54am, he descended to the fifth floor, inserted a fresh magazine in his gun and attempted to continue shooting - but his gun reportedly jammed. He then moved to the fourth floor and shot the deputy director and the director's secretary. A uniformed patrol from Plai Bang police station arrived at 10.02am. Stage 3: Continued attacks The suspect continued moving through the third, second and first floors, shooting at groups of teachers and students. He also encountered a janitor but did not harm him because he was not a teacher. The suspect then headed to Building 4 while reloading his gun. Stage 4: Confrontation with police After patrol officers arrived at 10.02am, they requested additional support at 10.03am. At 10.08am, officers attempted to talk with the suspect and ordered him to stop shooting. At 10.10am, the suspect shot himself dead. Tactical police teams subsequently entered Building 4 and cleared the area. - Parents questioned - The suspect's parents gave additional statements to investigators on Sunday. After the session, the boy's father briefly spoke to reporters, apologising to those affected by the tragedy. "Sorry to the victims," he said, raising his hands in a wai while visibly emotional. Reports said he told investigators that he still could not understand why his son had carried out the attack. The investigation was continuing.