BURI RAM: Two 16-year-old students are in hospital after being allegedly shot by a 15-year-old student from their school in Nong Ki district over a personal conflict on Wednesday.
According to Pol Capt Thirawat Rakkhiri, deputy inspector of Nong Ki Station, the police received a report about a shooting that occurred at 12.30pm during the lunch break at Wat Chai Mongkol, which is next door to the school.
Two Matthayom 4 (Grade 10) students were reported seriously injured after being shot with a 9mm pistol, and were rushed to Nong Ki Hospital for treatment.
One student, identified only as Arthit, was reported to be on the road to recovery. He had gunshot wounds to his stomach and right leg.
The other victim, identified as Petch, was in critical condition after being shot in the back of the head.
His mother later said he was transferred to Buri Ram Hospital and is now showing signs of recovery.
Pol Capt Thirawat said police found five bullet shells at the scene of the shooting, and the firearm was recovered from a pond in the temple.
According to police, the shooter was a Matthayom 3 (Grade 9) student who claimed to have had a long personal conflict with both victims. The student admitted to the crime and said that he had bought the pistol used in the shooting online for 4,000 baht, police said.
He told an investigator that on the day of the shooting, one of the injured students gave him the middle finger, saying, "I hate you", and lured him to meet at the temple, police said.
He sneaked the gun in using a bag and then shot the two students when they tried to assault him, police said.