Thailand Horror: Mass Shooting In Broad Daylight, 3 Injured Gunman Detained

A former police officer opened fire at a Thai day care centre, resulting in a high casualty toll and prompting nationwide concern. Authorities are investigating the incident and sourcing witness accounts as the situation develops. The report highlights emergency response and ongoing security assessments.

A shocking shooting inside a school in southern Thailand's Songkhla province left a school director dead and several others injured on Wednesday, triggering panic among students and teachers before police intervened and arrested the teenage gunman.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect, believed to be 18 years old, opened fire on the school premises before taking hostages and eventually being detained by security forces.

Shooting and hostage situation unfold

The attack took place in Hat Yai district, where the gunman reportedly entered the school and began firing multiple rounds. Officials said he later held an unknown number of students and teachers hostage inside the building.

Security forces swiftly surrounded the campus and launched an operation to secure the premises and rescue those trapped inside. All hostages, except the school director who was killed, were rescued alive, police confirmed.

At least 3 people were injured in the incident:

Both were taken for medical treatment, though their exact condition has not been officially disclosed.

Images released by local police showed the moment the suspect was apprehended. He appeared barefoot, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, as armed officers restrained him on the ground outside the school.

Dramatic rescue operation caught on camera

Videos circulating online captured tense moments during the police operation. One clip showed armed officers storming a three-storey school building amid the sound of gunfire. Another showed students running down staircases as officers in protective gear directed them to safety, assuring them it was safe to leave.

Authorities have not independently verified the authenticity of all circulating videos, but they illustrate the fear and confusion that gripped the campus during the incident.

What led to the attack?

Local media reports indicate that the shooting may have been triggered by an earlier domestic dispute. Police had reportedly responded to a call about a young man displaying violent behaviour at home and attempting to harm his mother.

According to reports:

The suspect allegedly seized an assault rifle from a responding police officer.
He then made his way to the nearby school.
Eyewitnesses claimed he was searching for a teacher who had disciplined his younger sister.
These details are still under investigation, and authorities have not yet released an official motive.