Hat Yai school shooting: teen detained after attack
A 17-year-old gunman was detained on Feb 11 after opening fire at Patongprathankiriwat School in Hat Yai, southern Thailand. A female teacher was critically injured and a teen girl was shot in the waist. Authorities said the suspect used a firearm stolen from a police officer earlier in the day. He appeared agitated when he entered the campus. Police freed those held inside and secured the three-storey building. The motive remains unknown.
What happened during the Hat Yai school shooting
The incident began in the late afternoon as classes were ending. Witnesses heard gunshots and called police. Officers stormed the building and evacuated students and staff. A teacher underwent surgery and remains in intensive care, while the wounded student is stable, officials said. A “hostage situation” refers to a scenario where an armed person confines others to compel demands or resist arrest. Police images show the barefoot suspect, in shorts and a T-shirt, pinned to the ground by armed officers.
How police resolved the siege
Specialist units entered the school and ended the siege within hours. Officials first said the suspect had been shot, then confirmed he was alive and in custody. All hostages were freed. The Public Health Ministry reported surgeries for two gunshot victims. Authorities are now gathering evidence from the scene and tracing the weapon.
The suspect and the stolen firearm
Provincial officials identified the suspect as 17. He has a sister at the school. Before the attack, he assaulted a police officer and took the officer’s gun, according to the provincial governor. Local authorities also noted a prior history of substance abuse and a recent discharge from a psychiatric hospital in December. Police have not stated a motive.
Why this case matters in Thailand
Gun violence is uncommon at schools but remains a wider concern in Thailand. The case recalls national debates after past high-profile shootings and has renewed focus on police weapons control and campus security. Officials said a full investigation is under way and promised updates as facts are confirmed.
In the hours after the attack, officials urged the public to avoid sharing unverified footage. They also called for patience as investigators review CCTV, interview witnesses and examine the stolen firearm. As of the evening of Feb 11, the suspect was in custody, the school was secured and both injured victims were receiving treatment.
