Teacher in Chumphon Wields Air Gun in School Incident

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS

 

A vocational school in Chumphon's Mueang district was shaken on September 23, when a teacher suffering from mental health issues brandished an air gun and threatened students and staff. The incident ended without injury as police were able to safely apprehend the teacher after a tense one-hour standoff.

 

Local police received an emergency call early morning, reporting that a teacher at the school appeared agitated and was wielding a weapon. The teacher, later identified as "Mr. K," a 59-year-old instructor in automotive mechanics, was seen walking near the school's flagpole, holding the air gun in a threatening manner. Both teachers and students had been preparing for a school meeting when the situation unfolded.

 

 

Responding swiftly, police and emergency services arrived on the scene and cordoned off the area, evacuating students, staff, and parents to safety. Efforts to negotiate with Mr. K were initially unsuccessful, as he aimed the air gun at police and school administrators, forcing them to take cover behind nearby vehicles.

 

After more than an hour of negotiation, Mr. K finally agreed to lay down his weapon and was taken into custody. Upon inspection, police confirmed that the gun was an air gun firing plastic pellets. The teacher was promptly transferred to Chumphon Hospital for treatment.

 

A school administrator revealed that Mr. K had long been battling mental health issues, requiring consistent medication. He had been assigned to manage the school’s sound system, but frustration reportedly arose when he found the equipment room locked this morning. The teacher’s agitation escalated, leading to the incident. Though the air gun was not lethal, the staff feared that Mr. K might use it to harm students or damage property, prompting the call to authorities.

 

One concerned parent expressed their fears for student safety, questioning why someone with known mental health challenges continued to teach. "The school should reconsider giving such high-pressure responsibilities to someone in Mr. K's condition," they said.

 

Mr. K is due to retire next year, but today’s event has raised concerns about the school's policies and safety measures in managing mental health in the workplace. The police are continuing their investigation.

 

-- 2024-09-24

 

 

[steven100]

he's lucky they didn't shoot him,   put him in the nuthouse for a month and give him medicine then send him home. 

 

 

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

he's lucky they didn't shoot him,   put him in the nuthouse for a month and give him medicine then send him home. 

 

 

 

Yes, that's how they treat nutcases in thailand.