An armed man opened fire in a university building in downtown Prague on Thursday, killing 15 people and sowing widespread panic with one of the Czech Republic’s worst mass shootings of its kind, police and the city’s rescue service said.
Quick Read
- Mass Shooting in Prague: A gunman opened fire at Charles University in Prague, resulting in 15 fatalities, marking one of the Czech Republic’s worst mass shootings.
- Shooter Identified as Student: The assailant, a student at the university, carried out the shooting in the philosophy department building. The shooter’s identity has not been publicly disclosed.
- No Known Extremist Links: Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan indicated that the attack does not appear to be connected to any extremist ideology or groups.
- Eyewitness Account: Pavel Nedoma, director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, witnessed the shooter firing from a building balcony.
- Police Response and Precautionary Measures: Authorities evacuated the building and conducted a search for potential explosives, while securing the area around Jan Palach Square.
- Location’s Prominence: The university building is situated near the Vltava River, offering a view of Prague Castle, a significant Czech landmark.
- President’s Reaction: Czech President Petr Pavel expressed shock and extended condolences to the victims’ families.
- Scene of Chaos: The area, typically bustling with tourists and students, was engulfed in panic and disorder as emergency vehicles rushed to the scene and the square was cordoned off.
The Associated Press has the story:
At least 15 people are dead after a mass shooting at a Prague university
Newslooks- PRAGUE (AP)
An armed man opened fire in a university building in downtown Prague on Thursday, killing 15 people and sowing widespread panic with one of the Czech Republic’s worst mass shootings of its kind, police and the city’s rescue service said.
The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said. He has not been named publicly.
Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extemist ideology or groups.
Pavel Nedoma, the director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, said he saw from a window a person standing on a balcony of the building and shooting a gun.
Police said they were still searching the area, including the balcony, for possible explosives. The building was evacuated, Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda said.
The building forms part of the square and faces a bridge across the river with a view of Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech presidency. President Petr Pavel said he was “shocked” by what happened and offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims.
Where tourists, students and others would normally be enjoying the view of the iconic monument instead reflected chaos and terror on Thursday afternoon. Police vehicles and ambulances sped across the bridge with their sirens wailing to each the empty square, which was sealed off by officers.
Some video footage from the scene showed people being evacuated from the building and others trying to hide by a wall.
