At least 15 people killed in mass shooting in Czech Republic: dozens injured

The shooter opened fire on December 21 in a university building in the center of Prague (Czech Republic). He killed at least 15 people and wounded more than 30 in the country's worst mass shooting. The publication told in more detail AP News.

Photo: IStock

According to Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek, the shooting took place in the building of the Faculty of Philosophy at Charles University, where the shooter was a student. The alleged shooter also died, authorities said. His name has not been disclosed.

Vondrasek said 24 people were injured and authorities warned the death toll could rise.

Police have not released details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakušan said investigators do not suspect links to any extremist ideology or group.

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Police say the suspect had previously killed his father in his hometown of Hostun, west of Prague, and that he had planned to take his own life. Vondrasek did not elaborate.

The police chief described the suspect as an excellent student but did not provide any other information.

The suspect, Vondrasek said, suffered “horrific injuries,” but it is unclear whether he committed suicide or was killed in a shootout with officers. As the police chief clarified, “nothing indicates that he had an accomplice.”

In addition, the suspect legally owned several handguns, and his act, Vondrasek noted, was “well thought out and terrible.”

The building where the shooting took place is located near the Vltava River on Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Prague's Old Town. It is just a few minutes' walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where thousands of visitors enjoy the popular Christmas market.

The government was quick to allay fears that foreign interests were behind the shooting.

“There are no signs that this is related to international terrorism,” Rakushan assured. “This is a terrible crime that the Czech Republic has never faced before.”

Pavel Nedoma, director of the nearby Rudolfinum gallery, said he watched from his window as a man standing on the building's balcony fired shots.

Authorities evacuated everyone from the building and police said they were continuing to search the area, including the balcony, for explosives.

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The building is part of the square and overlooks a bridge over the river, overlooking Prague Castle, the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. President Peter Pavel said he was “shocked” by the incident and expressed condolences to the relatives of the victims.

Where tourists, students and others would normally enjoy the view of the iconic monument, chaos and horror reigned. Police cars and ambulances raced across the bridge with sirens wailing. The police cordoned off the empty square.

Some videos showed people being evacuated from the building, while others tried to hide behind a wall.

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