A former student opened fire at a vocational high school in the Siverek district of Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey, on Tuesday (Apr 14), wounding at least 16 people before taking his own life. The 18-year-old attacker, armed with a shotgun, fired randomly inside the school before being cornered by police and committing suicide with the same weapon.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The attack injured 10 students, four teachers, one police officer, and one cafeteria operator. Five of the wounded were transferred to a hospital in the provincial capital due to serious conditions. The attacker, identified as a former student born in 2007, had no criminal record and acted alone, according to officials.
Deeper Dive & Context
Police Response and Investigation
Special security forces were deployed to the school, and students were evacuated. Governor Hasan Sildak stated that the school had been declared safe and no permanent police officer was assigned to protect it, calling the shooting an "isolated incident." A comprehensive investigation is underway.
Witness Accounts
One student told Anadolu Agency that the attacker entered a classroom and fired four or five times, hitting two people before moving to the next classroom. Another witness described the gunman opening fire in the schoolyard before entering the building. Reports also suggested the attacker may have taken some students hostage.
Social Media Threats
Media reports indicated the assailant had threatened an attack on the school on social media prior to the shooting. The motive remains unclear.
Rarity of School Shootings in Turkey
School shootings are rare in Turkey, and the incident has raised questions about school safety measures despite the government's assurances of precautions.