Sixteen injured after ex-student opens fire at high school in Turkey
Sixteen Injured in School Shooting by Ex-Student in Turkey
A school shooting in southeastern Turkey resulted in at least 16 people being hurt, with the perpetrator, a teenager in his late teens, using a shotgun to fire indiscriminately before turning the weapon on himself. Local governor Hasan Şildak confirmed the attacker was “cornered by police” before taking his own life.
The victims include 10 students, four educators, a cafeteria staff member, and a law enforcement officer. The event occurred at approximately 09:30 local time (06:30 GMT) at Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in the Siverek district. The building was evacuated following the incident.
Five of the injured were later moved to different medical facilities for specialized care. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, prompting an ongoing investigation. Şildak noted the shooter had no prior criminal history and that the school was previously deemed secure by authorities.
Details of the Attack
The assailant entered the school grounds through the front door and immediately began firing, as described by a local witness. “He was a kid, around 17-18 years old. He walked into the school yard and pulled out a gun—like a long, stocky pump-action shotgun with rims,” the observer recounted.
“He started shooting left and right, then turned toward the school. Once inside, he targeted anyone in his path, causing chaos. The students screamed, and everyone scattered,” the witness added.
Eyewitness Accounts
Ömer Furkan Sayar, a student among the injured, shared his experience with TRT, Turkey’s state broadcaster. “He entered at least two classrooms, including mine. We dropped to the ground first, then two of us leaped out the window. He said nothing, just began firing,” Sayar explained.
Authorities are still determining the reason for the attack, though the shooter’s recent social media posts had hinted at an imminent act. The school, which had previously been considered safe, now faces renewed scrutiny in the wake of the tragedy.