Teen gunman kills 8, wounds 30 in Thai school and home attack

A teenage student went on a shooting rampage at a school in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, on Friday, leaving eight people dead and more than 30 injured, according to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

The gunman, a 14-year-old student at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, first killed his grandparents at their home before arriving at the school in Bang Kruai district around 10 a.m. local time. Police later found the bodies of the grandparents, and investigators believe they were shot before the school attack.

Witnesses described the attacker wearing a purple tracksuit and firing dozens of shots inside the school. Video footage showed continuous gunfire across the campus. A handgun, believed to belong to the grandfather, was recovered at the scene, along with a large quantity of ammunition found in the suspect's bag.

The prime minister, who visited the scene, said the motive may be linked to excessive academic pressure, as the grandparents were reportedly strict about the boy's studies. A friend of the suspect confirmed he had been under great stress and had prepared thoroughly, even posting photos of the gun on social media.

Police also found that the suspect had searched online for information about an American school shooting case, suggesting he may have studied prior attacks.

Anutin said the government would push for stricter gun control measures, emphasizing that no one should be allowed to carry firearms in public except for official duties. "Such an incident must not be allowed to happen again," he told reporters.

Nine of the injured remain in critical condition. The gunman was among the dead, killed by police during the response.