A horrific shooting incident shook the Hat Yai district of Songkhla, Thailand, on Wednesday when an 18-year-old gunman stormed into Patong Prathan Khiri Wit School. Armed with a high-caliber M4 submachine gun, the teenager opened fire just as students were preparing to leave for the day, leaving at least three people, including the school principal, seriously injured.

Witnessing the Horror: The attack unfolded in a matter of seconds. A security guard who survived the assault revealed that the gunman targeted the school director immediately upon entry. “The bullet hit my stomach while I tried to intervene,” the guard recounted. Following the initial shooting, the assailant took several teachers and students hostage, leading to a tense standoff that lasted for hours. Trapped children were seen hiding inside classrooms as the gunman occupied a section of the building.

Police Operation: Special tactical units from the Hat Yai police cordoned off the entire school premises and evacuated the surrounding areas. After a grueling period of negotiation and tactical maneuvering, the 18-year-old suspect was finally taken into custody. While the immediate threat has been neutralized and the hostages rescued, the motive behind such a violent act remains unknown. The injured are currently receiving medical attention, and authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the security breach.