In Turkey, a middle school student carried out a shooting spree in two classrooms, resulting in the death of nine individuals and injuring 13 others, according to the interior minister. This incident marked the second school shooting in the country within a span of two days. The 14-year-old perpetrator, armed with firearms believed to belong to his father, a retired police officer, was subsequently killed. He was found in possession of five guns and seven magazines upon arrival at the school, as confirmed by Kahramanmaras provincial Gov. Mukerrem Unluer.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and it is unclear whether the gunman was neutralized by law enforcement or took his own life. Out of the 13 wounded individuals, six were reported to be in critical condition, as stated by Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci.
Earlier reports indicated that three students and a teacher were among the casualties, with initial figures suggesting five fatalities. This tragic event unfolded just a day after a former student opened fire at a high school in the nearby Sanliurfa province, leaving 16 people injured, predominantly students, before the assailant committed suicide.
While school shootings have been infrequent in Turkey historically, instances involving firearms within educational settings have shown an upward trend over the past decade. Authorities swiftly responded to the incident at the Kahramanmaras school in the Onikisubat district, dispatching police and ambulances upon hearing gunshots. Images captured at the scene depicted individuals being transported by ambulances, with concerned parents rushing to the school upon learning of the armed assault. Police cordoned off the area and implemented security measures to ensure the safety of the school premises.
