An 18-year-old gunman who opened fire at a Songkhla school on Wednesday, killing the director and injuring many others, will be charged with murder and a series of other serious offenses.
The suspect, identified only as Kemmanan, will face charges of attempted murder, attempted murder of a police officer, unlawful detention, resisting arrest, robbery, and property damage.
According to police, prior to the shooting, Thung Lung police received a report of a man behaving erratically and armed with a machete inside a hut in a rubber plantation in Moo 9, Ban Phru subdistrict, at about 3pm.
Upon arrival, police approached the hut and attempted to negotiate with Kemmanan, ordering him to drop the machete.
However, he refused and allegedly attacked officers with the weapon, injuring one of them.
The suspect then ran to a police patrol vehicle and seized a firearm stored in the rear seat.
He fired the weapon to clear a path and fled the scene on a motorcycle toward Phatong Prathan Kiriwat School in Pathong subdistrict.
Upon arriving at the school, the suspect entered the premises and took several teachers and students hostage.
During the incident, he shot Sasipatchara Sinsamosorn, the school director, twice, leaving her critically injured. She was rushed to Hat Yai Hospital for emergency treatment but later died.
In total, nine victims were reported in connection with the case, including two police officers from Thung Lung Police Station and several school staff members and students.
The suspect sustained a shrapnel wound to his right temple during the incident and was taken to Songklanagarind Hospital for treatment.
Property damage included a bronze Toyota pickup truck registered in Songkhla and broken windows at the school.
Investigators and forensic officers from the Forensic Science Center 9 collected evidence at the scene and are continuing to question witnesses as the legal process moves forward.
Police have not released the motive behind the attack, but the suspect is known to have a history of depression following drug addiction.
