The Prague Police and the city’s rescue service reported that a lone assailant opened fire Thursday in a university building in downtown Prague, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 20 in what was the deadliest mass shooting in the Czech Republic.
Chief Martin Vondrasek of the Prague Police Department stated that the gunman was a student in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the violence occurred. The alleged shooter also perished, according to authorities. The release of his identity has not yet occurred.
24 people, according to Vondrasek, were injured, and authorities warned that the mortality toll could increase.
The shooting occurred at a structure in Jan Palach Square, close to the Vltava River. The police did not provide any information regarding the victims or a potential motive for the shooting. According to Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan, there is no suspicion that the suspects have ties to extremist organizations or ideologies.
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Vondrasek stated that police have reason to believe that the suspect earlier in the day murdered his father in Hostoun, a municipality located just west of Prague, and had also intended to commit suicide. He made no further elaboration.
The chief stated that the suspect was an outstanding student but provided no further details.
Vondrasek stated that while the suspect sustained “devastating injuries,” it remained uncertain whether he committed suicide or was fatally shot during a gunfight with officers. Furthermore, “no indications pointed to the presence of an accomplice.”
Vondrasek stated that the suspect justified his “horrendous act” by lawfully possessing multiple firearms.
The location of the shooting is Jan Palach Square, a bustling tourism area in Prague’s Old Town, close to the Vltava River. The picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where thousands of visitors have been enjoying a popular Christmas market, is within walking distance.
The government acted swiftly to allay apprehensions that foreign interests were behind the massacre.
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“There’s no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism,” Rakusan added.
“It’s a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced,” he commented.
The director of the adjacent Rudolfinum Gallery, Pavel Nedoma, stated that he observed the gunfire from a window while an individual perched on a balcony of the structure carried out the act.
Police stated they were still scouring the area, including the balcony, for explosives after evacuating all occupants of the structure.
In a portion of the square, the structure overlooks Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech presidency, from a bridge spanning the river. The incident stunned President Petr Pavel, who expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
Disorder and terror prevailed in the area where students, tourists, and others would ordinarily be admiring the renowned structure. Ambulances and police vehicles traversed the bridge at high speed, emitting wailing sirens. An officer cordoned off the vacant plaza.
Some video footage captured individuals attempting to conceal themselves behind a wall while being evacuated from the building.
The Czech government had scheduled an emergency session for later on Thursday to discuss the attack.
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