NONTHABURI, Thailand — A 14-year-old student at one of Thailand’s most prestigious schools killed seven people and injured 23 others on Friday, using a legally owned firearm taken from his grandfather’s home before turning the weapon on himself. The attacker first killed his grandparents at their residence, then drove to Debsirin School, where he shot five teachers. He had more than 30 rounds of ammunition remaining when he died, according to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Nine of the injured remain in critical condition.

It was the second school shooting in Thailand this year. The prime minister has pledged to introduce new firearms legislation in response.

The Attack

The shooting began shortly after 10:00 local time (03:00 GMT) at the attacker’s home in Nonthaburi province, on the outskirts of Bangkok. The boy killed his grandparents—who had been his primary carers following his parents’ divorce—before driving to the Debsirin School campus.

Police said the attacker moved from room to room inside the school. National police chief General Kittiratt Phanphet told reporters that forensic analysis indicated the gunman’s shots were accurate, with several hitting vital points. The prime minister described the attack as “well prepared” with “clear steps and clear goals.”

A seventh-grade student who witnessed the shooting told the BBC she was standing in front of her teacher when the gunman opened fire. “She was talking to me when he showed up and shot her,” the student said. “I couldn’t see anything but a cloud of dust.” She climbed over the school fence to escape. Her mother said the girl later told her: “I thought I’d never see you again.”

Another student told Reuters that he initially thought the sound of gunshots was firecrackers. “There were many shots: bang bang bang. Then it went quiet. Then it started again.”

Students and staff were seen fleeing the campus. Those waiting outside appeared visibly distraught. The school later issued a call for blood donations on social media. Nearby schools suspended classes so students could return home early.

The Weapon

Police have confirmed the firearm used in the attack was legally owned by the boy’s grandfather. The attacker was 14 years old. He had not been publicly named as of Friday evening, and police have not disclosed a possible motive. Officers were seen removing computer equipment and boxes from the family home. Both parents were called in for questioning at a local police station.

Thailand has some of the strictest gun laws in Southeast Asia on paper. Illegal possession of a firearm carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. However, the country also has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in the region. An estimated 10 million firearms are in civilian hands, with approximately 40% believed to be unregistered, according to data cited by researchers and advocacy groups. Enforcement of existing laws has been inconsistent.

The weapon used on Friday was not illegal. It was properly registered. The gap between the legal framework governing firearm ownership and the practical reality of access—a 14-year-old taking a legal weapon from an unsecured location in his own home—is the space in which the attack occurred.