A 13-year-old eighth grade student opened fire at random inside a Turkish school Wednesday, killing four people and wounding 20 — just one day after another shooter wounded 16 people at a separate school in Turkey, officials said.
Background
The attack occurred at a secondary school in Kahramanmaras province's main city. Kahramanmaras Governor Mukerrem Unluer said the student entered two classrooms and opened fire randomly, targeting students and staff. A teacher and three students were killed in the assault.
The perpetrator was also dead, though authorities have not determined whether the death was a suicide or occurred during the chaos of the shooting. "A student came to school with guns that we believe belonged to his father in his backpack," Unluer told reporters. "He entered two classrooms and opened fire randomly, causing injuries and deaths."
The attacker was identified as the son of a former police officer. Investigators said he carried five guns and seven magazines, likely taken from his father's collection. "We suspect he may have taken his father's weapons," the governor said.
This shooting came less than 24 hours after another school attack in Turkey. On Tuesday, an 18-year-old attacker opened fire with a shotgun at his former vocational high school in the Siverek district of Sanliurfa province, wounding 16 people — including 10 students — before killing himself during a standoff with police.
The Investigation
Turkish authorities have launched investigations into both attacks. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said prosecutors opened immediate investigations following the Kahramanmaras shooting.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the attacks in parliament, promising accountability for any officials found negligent. "Those found to have been negligent or at fault will certainly be held accountable," Erdogan said.
Following Tuesday's attack in Sanliurfa, police detained one suspect and suspended four officials from duty. The school was ordered closed for four days. The motive for that attack remains unclear, though officials said the 18-year-old attacker had no criminal record.
Turkey has strict gun laws requiring licensing, registration, and background checks, with severe penalties for illegal possession. School shootings in Turkey had been rare before this week.
Key Takeaways
- Four dead: one teacher and three students killed in Kahramanmaras attack
- Twenty people wounded, with four in serious condition undergoing surgery
- Perpetrator was 13-year-old eighth grader; also deceased
- Attacker carried five guns and seven magazines belonging to his father, a former police officer
- Attacker's death ruled as suicide or collateral remains under investigation
- Second school shooting in Turkey within 24 hours; Tuesday attack wounded 16
- President Erdogan promises accountability for any negligence
What's Next
Turkish prosecutors continue investigating both attacks. Authorities have not yet announced any charges in the Kahramanmaras case, as the perpetrator is deceased. The investigation into the weapons source and how the student accessed his father's firearms remains ongoing.