A gunman opened fire at a school in Hat Yai, southern Thailand, on Tuesday afternoon, injuring several teachers and students, authorities said.
Video footage circulating on social media captured the sound of gunfire, as people were seen running amid scenes of panic and chaos.
The assailant is reportedly holding an unknown number of people hostage inside the building. Police have sealed off the area and are attempting to negotiate.
The 18-year old entered Patongprathankiriwat School in Songkhla Province's Hat Yai earlier on Wednesday with a gun.
"The perpetrator has been captured," Deputy Superintendent Wichian Soboon said, according to a Reuters report.
{{/usCountry}}"The perpetrator has been captured," Deputy Superintendent Wichian Soboon said, according to a Reuters report.
{{/usCountry}}At least three people have been injured.
"Police shot the suspect in the Hat Yai shooting," Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau said in a statement, after earlier informing that the gunman had been killed.
What happened?
A woman and a 14-year-old girl were hospitalised with gunshot wounds and underwent surgery, the Ministry of Public Health said in a statement, AFP reported.
A second child sustained an ankle injury after they “fell from a height”, the statement added.
The suspect entered Phatong Prathan Khiriwat School in “an agitated state while carrying a gun”, according to the Songkhla provincial government.
Shortly after he entered, “about two to three gunshots were heard”, the provincial government said.