PRAGUE, CZ – A tragic incident occurred at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, on Thursday, resulting in the death of at least 15 people and injuring approximately two dozen others, according to official reports.
The suspected perpetrator, a student at the university who is now deceased, was linked to the mass shooting. His father was also found dead. The incident took place in the university’s philosophy department, where the suspect was enrolled. Although the suspect’s identity has not been disclosed, authorities have found no evidence to suggest any ties to terrorist organizations. The police have conducted a thorough search for explosives in the vicinity, and no officers were harmed during the operation.
The Prague regional governor, Bohuslav Svoboda, confirmed that the shooter’s death resulted from a fall from a building. Svoboda expressed his shock at the incident, acknowledging the growing issue of individual shooters and the changing safety dynamics in the region.
The authorities have cautioned that the death toll may rise. The exact circumstances of the shooting remain unclear, with circulating videos showing students seeking shelter from the gunfire on a building balcony.
An email circulated among Charles University staff and students, advising them to secure their offices and turn off the lights. The chilling account of a student evacuated from the building paints a picture of fear and chaos.
Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan confirmed that there was no additional shooter at the scene and urged the public to cooperate with the police. Meanwhile, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek disclosed that the shooter, an excellent student with a clean record, had also planned to commit suicide. The shooter was also suspected of two other murders, including a man and his infant daughter.
The shooter, who was legally armed and had a significant amount of ammunition, inflicted is dead. However, it remains unclear whether he was killed in a crossfire with the police or committed suicide.
In response to the incident, the university authorities announced immediate security enhancements in university buildings. The Czech government also planned an emergency session to discuss the shooting.