A 24-year-old mass shooter was involved in a shooting spree at a University in Prague, resulting in at least 14 deaths and 25 injuries, making it the deadliest mass shooting in the Czech Republic in decades.
The suspected gunman, a 24-year-old student, is believed to have died by suicide, though this has not been confirmed. The motive for the attack on Prague University is still under investigation.
The shooting took place in the Faculty of Arts building, a popular area for tourists. Some students hid in classrooms during the violence, and a picture showed people seeking refuge on an outside ledge.
READ MORE: Denmark criminalizes burning of Quran under new law
The university was in session at the time, with a Christmas break scheduled for December 23.
Czech officials declared a day of mourning, and the country’s president expressed deep sadness over the tragedy. The shooting is considered a lone incident, and authorities do not believe it was an act of terrorism.
The university has increased security measures, canceled events, and called for a sensitive approach to exams. The Czech Republic has relatively liberal gun laws, with legal gun owners requiring official licenses and examinations.
