A mass shooting at a university in downtown Prague on Thursday left at least 14 people dead and 30 wounded before the gunman was shot dead by police, authorities said.
The 24-year-old assailant opened fire inside a building at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, leading the school to urgently email students and staff to lock themselves in rooms.
Police confirmed multiple fatalities before later announcing that the lone attacker had been “eliminated”. However, evacuation of the building was still ongoing with several dead and dozens injured at the scene.
The exact death toll remains unclear as authorities continue securing the area near the university premises situated in a busy tourist hub leading to Prague’s Old Town Square.
Police have revealed the gunman also likely shot his father before the campus attack. Earlier reports linked him to two other deaths recently as well.
Na místě v tuto chvíli probíhá zásah policie, celé Náměstí Jana Palacha a blízké okolí je zcela uzavřeno.
— Policie ČR (@PolicieCZ) December 21, 2023
The entire country has been left stunned by the tragic incident. Prime Minister Petr Fiala canceled his scheduled trips to head to Prague as authorities investigate Central Europe’s deadliest shooting in decades.
Vyzýváme občany, aby se v blízkém okolí nezdržovali a nevycházeli z domu. Zásah policie stále pokračuje. pic.twitter.com/OHnSsq4G5f
— Policie ČR (@PolicieCZ) December 21, 2023
Saturday has been declared a national day of mourning in the Czech Republic in the wake of the horrific attack at the university that has sent shockwaves across the nation.
