Recently, two students shared plans to carry out a shooting at Montfort College in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in a LINE group chat.
Screenshots of their messages began circulating in school and parent groups on Monday (10 Aug), causing panic among parents.
Police officers were quickly deployed at the school to conduct inspections.
They have also identified one of the students who sent threats.
The school shooting threats were sent to a LINE group chat called “Montfort Dark Side”, Khaosod English reported.
Two male students allegedly threatened to attack at 10am on 11 Aug.
They were specifically targeting Grade 12 students in Rooms 9 and 10, who allegedly bullied them.
Source: Werasak Kitiyanan on Facebook
One of the students reportedly shared a photo showing a handgun on the lap of a person in the driver’s seat of a car.
Source: Khaosod English
Meanwhile, other members of the group also appeared to support the post, according to The Nation.
Many parents whose children attend Montfort College were sent into a panic after the messages were shared.
Some of them contacted the school, while others immediately travelled there to pick up their children.
Meanwhile, the school promptly contacted Mae Ping Police Station, which sent around 20 officers to inspect the campus.
The following day, police and school staff were stationed at the entrance to conduct checks on students, teachers and other personnel.
Source: Thai Post
Officers also inspected classrooms and briefed students on how to recognise warning signs and respond if violence occurs.
Source: Khaosod English
The school said the situation has since stabilised. However, it said parents concerned for their children’s safety may allow them to take leave from school.
The commander of Chiang Mai Provincial Police, Pol Maj Gen Yutthana Kaenchan, said the students linked to the threats have been identified.
The male student who wrote threats has been located, while police are still searching for the other who sent a photo of a firearm.
Police have contacted their parents and asked them to attend discussions as they are working to determine why the messages were posted.
Following the incident, the commander has ordered police units throughout the province to strengthen security and surveillance around schools to assure students, teachers, staff, and parents of their safety.
Police advised families to rely primarily on information released by schools and the authorities.
They were also warned not to forward unverified messages or spread panic, saying this may encourage copycat behaviour.
Officers remain on high alert and are conducting preparations to protect educational institutions across the province from similar threats.
They have also begun working with schools to provide “Run, Hide, Fight” training for students and teachers to help them respond accordingly during emergencies.
On 7 Aug, a suspect believed to be a ninth-grade student opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi Province.
The gunman was found dead, believed to be from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The death toll has risen to nine, after a 12-year-old girl died from critical wounds on 8 Aug, the South China Morning Post reported.
Meanwhile, more than 30 people were wounded in the shooting. According to The Guardian, 14 remain in hospital, with seven in critical condition.
The suspect’s grandparents were also found dead in his home.
Police believe the student had shot them dead before carrying out the shooting at school.
Also read: 7 killed & at least 20 students injured in Thailand school shooting
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Featured image adapted from Khaosod English, Thai Post.