Shocking School Shooting in Hat Yai, Thailand Leaves 3 Injured; Gunman Held 300 Students and Staff Hostage Before Being Subdued

A school shooting incident occurred on the 11th in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, southern Thailand. Police have subdued and arrested the gunman.

The Royal Thai Police posted on social media stating that the situation is now under control and the hostages held by the gunman have been rescued.

According to a statement by the Thai Central Investigation Bureau, police opened fire and hit the suspect.

Meanwhile, the Thai Ministry of Public Health stated in a release that a woman and a 14-year-old girl were hospitalized due to gunshot wounds, both undergoing surgery. Another child "fell from a height", resulting in an ankle injury.

Earlier, the Songkhla Provincial Public Relations Department indicated that a gunman broke into the school and opened fire on the day, at one point holding several teachers and students hostage.

According to local media reports, police received a call around 4:00 pm on the 11th reporting that an 18-year-old man had tried to harm his mother in a residence near the Kiriwatt School in Hat Yai Padong Batangkiliwa.

The report said that when police arrived and tried to control the situation, the suspect seized the opportunity to snatch an M4 rifle from an officer and fled into the school, firing more than ten shots. The female principal was seriously wounded and taken to the hospital for emergency treatment.

The suspect is alleged to have a history of drug use. After storming into the campus with the weapon, he trapped around 300 students inside, forcing some to take him to the principal's office, where he fired at least two shots, critically injuring the principal.