Shooting at the University of Prague 14 victims and 25

Shooting at the University of Prague, 14 victims and 25 injured. The murderer is dead

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AGI – In a “premeditated” attack announced on social media and “inspired by other similar shootings” that have already taken place abroad, 24-year-old Czech student David Kozak opened fire in the Faculty of Literature and Philosophy Charles University in Prague was the worst mass shooting in the Czech Republic in 30 years. The number is 14 dead and 25 injured on an afternoon that shocked the country, in the midst of the Christmas spirit.

The Czech Republic's interior minister and police said at a news conference that officials were investigating whether Kozak may also have been responsible for the deaths of two people last week in the Klanovicky forest near the Czech capital. They believe that the mass murderer, who had no criminal record, randomly selected his victims in the forest.

Fear in the city

In the first few minutes after the police raised the alarm, there were scenes of panic, which cordoned off the central Jan-Palach-Platz and asked everyone not to leave their houses. The attacker was “found dead” in a university classroom, a circumstance that led to speculation that he had committed suicide. Local police had previously said the attacker had been “eliminated”. Another circumstance to be clarified is the discovery of the body of the murderer's father this morning, about twenty kilometers from Prague.

“There is no indication that this crime is linked to international terrorism,” Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan told reporters. “More than 15 people were killed and at least 24 were injured,” said the latest report from Czech police chief Martin Vondrasek, who spoke of a “violent and premeditated attack.”

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who is urgently returning to Prague, said he was “shocked” by what happened. As we learn, the man had a firearms license and several weapons.

Shooting at the University of Prague 14 victims and 25

Investigators have not yet released any hypotheses or a definitive version of the motive that drove Kozak. “We have unconfirmed information that the 24-year-old student was inspired by a similar event that occurred in Russia in the fall,” Vondrasek reported.

“I have always wanted to kill,” we read in his “Diary,” “it is more profitable to carry out a mass massacre than serial murders.”

On a recently opened Telegram channel with few subscribers, Kozak wrote that he was “helped” by Alina Afanaskina, the 14-year-old who fired her father's rifle at a school in Bryansk on December 7, killing two classmates. before she took her own life.

According to initial reconstructions, it appears that the student murderer – who apparently acted alone – began shooting from the fourth floor. Eyewitnesses said the young man had “some weapon in his hand” and was firing in the direction of the Manes Bridge.

Up to 200 children were quickly rescued on their way to a contemporary art gallery, but many remained barricaded inside. In a photo making the rounds online, some can be seen crouching on the ledge beneath a window, almost on the roof. According to unconfirmed information, students in chats described scenes in which people fell from the third or fourth floor while fleeing the killer. A student reportedly died when he slipped off the building's ledge while trying to escape.

The university's Faculty of Philosophy is located in the historic center of Prague. Prague's Old Town is a tourist destination all year round and in the run up to Christmas it fills with visitors. Christmas markets are currently taking place in both the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.

The university itself is rich in history, as is the faculty that was the site of the massacre. Philosophy student Jan Palach set himself on fire in the center of Prague in 1969 to protest the Soviet occupation of his country. The square where the university is located bears his name. Due to the Christmas holidays, the students would have completed the academic semester tomorrow.

Weapon data

According to the head of the Czech police, Martin Vondraek, the man is suspected of murdering 15 people at Charles University in Prague
According to official police statistics, more than 300,000 people can legally own a weapon. In 2022, almost 1 million legally owned weapons were officially registered in the Czech Republic. The man suspected of killing 15 people at Charles University in Prague had a firearms license and several weapons.

The message of the Czech Prime Minister

“I am shocked by the events that took place at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University. I would like to express my deep regret and condolences to the families and relatives of the shooting victims. I would like to thank the citizens for respecting the instructions of the security forces and for maximum cooperation.”

The worst shooting in the last 30 years

This afternoon's attack on the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in Prague is the worst shooting since the Czech Republic's independence 30 years ago.

The recent gun attack it happened in December 2019 in a hospital in Ostravawhen a man opened fire in the waiting room of a trauma clinic, killing four men and two women before turning the gun on himself.

In February 2015, a local man opened fire at a restaurant in the eastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight people. Although gun attacks are rare in the Czech Republic, hunting with guns is very popular. In 2019 The Czech government tried in vain to lift the EU ban about semi-automatic rifles for private use that were introduced across Europe after a series of deadly jihadist attacks.

International reactions

Numerous expressions of sympathy and condolences from important international personalities after the tragic events in Prague.

Giorgia Meloni

“Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sent a message to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, expressing his deepest condolences and closeness to the families of the victims of the shooting in Prague and to the entire population of the Czech Republic. President Meloni reiterates his strongest condemnation of all forms of violence, fanaticism and terrorism and emphasizes that Europe has the duty to respond and strengthen all useful instruments to ensure maximum security for citizens.” This is the note from Palazzo Chigi.

Sergio Mattarella

“All of Italy heard with deep sadness the news of the shooting that shocked the University of Prague and claimed several lives and numerous injuries.” This was written by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in a message to the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel .

“On this sad occasion, I would like to convey to you my heartfelt condolences from the Italian Republic and my personal condolences,” wrote the head of state. “We are close with feelings of shared solidarity to the pain of the families shocked by an act of such brutal violence and we wish those injured a speedy and full recovery.”

Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the attack in a post “Shocking news about the tragic events in Prague. I wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he wrote.

Ursula von der Leyen

“My thoughts are with the victims and injured. All our solidarity and closeness goes out to our Czech neighbors and friends during this difficult time.”

Viktor Orban

“I am deeply shocked by the horrific shooting at Charles University in Prague. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.”

Nancy Faeser

The messages also include that of the German Interior Minister. “We received the shocking news that several people were killed at the University of Prague. My thoughts are with the victims and injured. All our solidarity and closeness goes out to our Czech neighbors and friends during this difficult time.”

The message of the Farnesina

Finally, the Farnesina “monitors the development of events in Prague in cooperation with the local authorities”. This is what the Foreign Ministry website writes on X, adding that for reports it is necessary to contact the crisis department and visit the Viaggiare Sicuri website.

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