In a shocking turn of events, a tragic shooting incident unfolded at Prague’s Charles University, leaving 14 people dead and 25 wounded, as reported by CNN. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed deep sorrow, extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims in a post on X.
Czech Police Chief Martin Vondrasek, in a press conference, revealed that preliminary information suggested the shooter took his own life, though formal identification was pending due to severe injuries. He revised the death toll to 14 in a later conference, with 10 individuals in serious condition among the injured.
The incident occurred at the Faculty of Arts building of Charles University in the heart of Prague, an area popular with tourists. During the shooting, some students took refuge in classrooms, and a chilling image on social media showed students hiding on a ledge high up the building.
The suspected shooter, a 24-year-old male and a student at Charles University, had traveled from his hometown village. Disturbingly, the police had prior information about the shooter’s intent, receiving a tip about his journey to Prague with suicidal intentions. Simultaneously, they learned of a deceased man in the suspect’s hometown, believed to be his father.
The police, aware of the shooter’s scheduled lecture at 2 pm CET, evacuated the relevant building. However, they received a distressing call about a shooting in a different location, leading to a complex and tragic situation.
Czech Police Chief Vondrasek disclosed that the suspect possessed a gun permit and owned multiple weapons. The Czech Republic, known for relatively liberal gun laws in the European Union, requires an official firearm license, including a medical examination, proficiency exam, and a clean criminal record for legal gun ownership.
As the investigation continues, the university, which was holding classes, is set to go on Christmas break on December 23. The community, along with the nation, mourns the loss and grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident.
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