A tragic school shooting that claimed nine lives and injured 21 others was not preceded by any apparent signs of bullying, according to a friend of the 14-year-old perpetrator. The student used his grandfather’s 9mm pistol to carry out the attack at a school on Friday, after fatally shooting his grandparents at their home. He also took his own life, leaving a devastating toll of nine fatalities and 21 wounded, including 19 students and two teachers.
Witness Account: No Indication of Peer Conflict
A close friend, identified only as M, who knew the student from Grades 7 through 9, stated with certainty that the boy had never been bullied, teased, or assaulted by his classmates. M described the teenager as a quiet individual who typically kept to himself, often occupying a seat in the back corner of the classroom. According to M, the student was not engaged in arguments or experiencing animosity with any peers.
Academically, the student performed well. However, he had repeatedly expressed frustration regarding his Thai-language teacher, citing an overwhelming workload and a failing grade of zero in the subject. M recounted that the student made several attempts to improve his grade, eventually succeeding, and frequently discussed this academic struggle with him.
Past Incident with a BB Gun
M also recalled an earlier incident where the teenager brought a BB gun to school concealed in his bag. He had shown the replica firearm to friends and even used it for target practice on school grounds. This led to the BB gun being confiscated by a teacher, and the student received a deduction of points from his conduct record, in accordance with school regulations.
On the day of the shooting, M confirmed that all students, including the suspect, participated in the morning flag-raising ceremony and attended classes as usual. The violent incident occurred during the second lesson, a mathematics class, while the teacher was explaining homework assignments and preparing students for upcoming revisions. “Before the shooting, there were no warning signs or any tense atmosphere,” M stated, emphasizing the normalcy of the morning’s events.
Family’s Perspective: A Well-Behaved Child
The sister of the boy’s grandmother, one of the victims, insisted that the student was a good child who had never caused trouble for his grandparents or anyone else. She described him as a child who was not easily influenced by friends, maintained a regular routine of attending school and returning home promptly, and spent his weekends at home rather than socializing elsewhere. While she acknowledged he played computer games, she was unaware of the specific titles. She characterized him as non-violent, well-behaved, and someone who kept to himself, avoiding involvement with others.
Furthermore, she stated that the grandparents, who tragically lost their lives in the attack, had never exerted undue pressure on the student. This account paints a picture of a child perceived as quiet and obedient by his family.
Ongoing Investigation and Official Statements
Investigators are diligently working to establish all the facts surrounding the incident. In light of the tragedy, calls for stricter gun control measures have intensified. Officials have warned that individuals found carrying firearms in public without authorization, other than law enforcement officers, could face severe criminal charges. The notion of arming teachers for self-defense has been firmly rejected, with authorities emphasizing that educators are not law enforcement personnel.
Authorities also issued a stern warning to gun owners, stating they could face prosecution if weapons under their control are stolen and subsequently used in criminal activities. This underscores the responsibility associated with firearm ownership.
Police have reported interviewing over 20 teachers and students as part of their ongoing investigation. They also plan to speak with the Thai-language teacher who was reportedly a point of contention for the student. Further inquiries are being made to determine the origin of the live ammunition and whether the suspect had any prior firearms training. These investigative steps are crucial in understanding the full context of the event and preventing future tragedies.
