The death toll from Friday’s deadly shooting at a school on the outskirts of Bangkok has risen to nine after a 12-year-old girl died from her injuries, police and health officials confirmed.

The girl, a seventh-grade student at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, had been receiving treatment in hospital for critical wounds sustained during the attack. Her death was reported on Saturday, raising the total number of fatalities from the incident.

What Happened

On Friday morning, August 7, a 14-year-old student at the school first killed his grandparents at their home in Bang Bua Thong district. He then travelled by bus to Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi province, northwest of Bangkok.

Just before 10 a.m., the teenager opened fire inside the school using a 9mm handgun that belonged to his grandfather. Over the course of approximately 40 minutes, he killed five school staff members — including teachers and officials — and wounded more than 20 others, most of them students aged between 12 and 14.

The gunman then turned the weapon on himself and later died from his injuries.

Police said the teenager fired at least 26 rounds, with another 34 rounds recovered from him. Authorities described the attack as Thailand’s worst mass shooting since 2022.

Casualties

• Nine dead in total: the 14-year-old gunman, his two grandparents, five school staff, and the 12-year-old girl who died from her wounds.
• More than 20 people were injured. As of Saturday, 14 remained hospitalised, with several still in critical condition.

The school had earlier appealed for blood donations for the injured students, including the 12-year-old who later died.

“The attack appeared well-prepared.” — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, on the shooter’s state of mind and planning.

Official Response

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the attack appeared well-prepared and noted that the shooter had been under stress related to his studies. His grandmother, a retired teacher, had reportedly been strict with him about academic performance.

Authorities have not released the gunman’s name because he was a minor. The incident has renewed debate in Thailand over firearms regulations in a country with one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia.

Families of the victims began collecting bodies from Bangkok’s Institute of Forensic Medicine on Saturday as investigations continue.