Thai teen arrested after school shooting leaves school director dead, two injured
SONGKHLA. Feb 12 (TNA) - An 18-year-old male was arrested on Wednesday after a shooting and hostage standoff at a school in Songkhla province left the school director dead and two students injured.
The suspect, identified as Khemmanan, launched the attack at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Feb. 11. Authorities said the incident began when the suspect attacked police and a local village head with a machete. He then managed to seize a firearm from a police vehicle and fled on a motorcycle to a school in Hat Yai district.
Upon entering the school, the suspect fired at a janitor before forcing students to lead him to the school director’s office. He opened fire on the school director and students while demanding to see a teacher he claimed had a conflict with his younger sister.
Special operations units engaged in a standoff with the gunman for over two hours. The suspect threatened to kill hostages if police intervened. Following a brief exchange of gunfire in which the suspect sustained a minor ear injury, he surrendered at 6:30 p.m.
Songkhla Governor Rattasart Chidchoo told reporters the suspect has a history of mental health issues and was discharged from a psychiatric hospital in December 2025.
Health officials confirmed three casualties resulting from the incident. School director was pronounced dead at 2:06 a.m. on Thursday due to severe blood loss and internal organ damage after sustaining gunshot wounds to the chest and torso.
A 15-year-old female student remains in stable condition after being shot in the waist, while another female student suffered minor injuries to her chin and neck after jumping from a building to escape the attack.
The school has been ordered closed for two days as forensic teams collect evidence. Police are continuing to investigate the exact motive, though preliminary reports suggest it stemmed from the suspect’s dissatisfaction regarding his sister, who is a student at the school.
