Turkey School Shooting: A 14-year-old student shot at least nine people dead, including eight of his fellow pupils, and wounded 13 others at a middle school in southeastern Turkey on Wednesday, officials said, in the country’s second school shooting in two days. Eight students and one teacher died in the attack in the province of Kahramanmaras, Turkey’s Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci told reporters, adding that six of the wounded were in critical condition.
“This was solely a personal attack carried out by one of our students, it is not a terror incident,” Ciftci said. Earlier, Kahramanmaras Governor Mukerrem Unluer had said the shooter had shot and killed himself in the commotion.
What Did the Attacker Bring to the School?
“An eighth-grade student came with 5 weapons and 7 magazines—which we believe belong to his former police officer father—in his bag and entered two classrooms with fifth-grade students, causing deaths and injuries indiscriminately,” Unluer said. Fifth-grade students are usually aged 10 and 11 in Turkey.
Broadcaster NTV said the shooter’s father had been detained. The attacker, who was in eighth grade, is believed to have used his father’s service weapons in the massacre.
Turkey School Shooting: What Does Footage Show?
Unverified footage showed several students jumping from a second-storey window at the school as gunshots echoed around the grounds. Other unverified CCTV footage from the school showed the attacker shooting two students walking down a hallway.
Turkish media footage from the school grounds on Wednesday showed ambulances arriving as police and crowds gathered by the gate.
How Rare Are School Shootings in Turkey?
School shootings are very rare in Turkey. Asked by reporters if authorities would take any measures after the shootings this week, Ciftci said: “We will take necessary precautions,” without elaborating.
Gun laws are generally strict in Turkey, with only individuals aged over 21 and in possession of a license allowed to own weapons. However, guns are widespread in Turkey, with many security officers allowed to carry and own arms.
Turkey School Shooting: What Happened in the Previous Day’s Shooting?
At least 16 people, including pupils and instructors, were injured when a former student opened fire at a school in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa on Tuesday before taking his own life. Alarms were raised prior to Wednesday’s considerably deadlier attack because it was Turkey’s first school shooting in many years.
The back-to-back massacres have shocked the nation and raised urgent questions about school security and access to firearms.
Turkey School Shooting: What Happens Next?
The shooter’s father, a former police officer, has been detained for questioning. Investigators are examining how the 14-year-old gained access to his father’s weapons and magazines.
Ciftci said authorities would take necessary precautions but did not provide specific details about potential changes to gun laws or school security measures. The wounded remain hospitalized, with six in critical condition.
FAQs: Turkey School Shooting
Q: How many people died in the Kahramanmaras shooting?
A: Nine people died—eight students and one teacher.
Q: How many were wounded?
A: Thirteen people were wounded, with six in critical condition.
Q: Who was the attacker?
A: A 14-year-old eighth-grade student. He shot and killed himself during the attack.
Q: Where did he get the weapons?
A: His father, a former police officer who is currently in custody, is thought to be the owner of the guns and magazines.
Q: Is this the first school shooting in Turkey?
A: No. A former student shot and wounded 16 people in Sanliurfa on Tuesday before killing himself.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
