Hat Yai, Thailand school shooting: 3 injured, gunman, 18, shot & arrested

Three people were injured during a shooting and hostage incident at a school in Songkhla, Thailand on Feb. 11.

According to Khaosod English, 300 students were held hostage at Patongprathankhiriwat School in Hat Yai after an 18-year-old gunman allegedly hit his mother at a nearby residence.

The incident occurred at around 4:30pm (Thailand time).

The gunman, identified as Khemanan Kescharoen, a local, was later shot by the police and arrested.

Tried to shoot security guard, shot school director

Khemanan started his shooting spree after officers from Thung Lung Police Station tried to calm him down following a report of his alleged assault on his mother.

The suspect later fled from the police after taking an M4 rifle and ran into the school compound.

There, he allegedly tried to shoot a guard at the security booth.

The gun did not work, and the security guard fled.

Khemanan then held over 300 students inside a classroom building, and later compelled them to take him to the school director.

He fired two shots, wounding the director.

Shot and arrested by police

According to Khaosod English, local authorities including police, special operations officers, and rescue teams secured the area and evacuated those at the scene.

Negotiators were also deployed to handle the situation.

Khemanan had reportedly fired shots intermittently and used a loudspeaker to warn police not to enter the school's premises.

He was later shot and arrested at around 6:30pm (Thailand time).

Authorities confirmed that all students were safely evacuated.

A few people were later spotted outside the premises crying and hugging.

Two people shot, one sustained injuries after falling

In a Facebook update posted at 9:10pm (Singapore time), Khaosod English reported that the Thailand Public Health Ministry confirmed three people were injured.

One victim, believed to be the school director, sustained gunshot wounds to her chest and torso.

She is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Hat Yai Hospital after undergoing a surgery.

A 14-year-old girl is currently in surgery at Prince of Songkhla University after being shot in the abdomen.

Another female student is receiving medical care at the same hospital after suffering an ankle injury after falling from height.

Top photos via Pr.Songkhla ประชาสัมพันธ์จังหวัดสงขลา/Facebook