A school shooting in Sanliurfa, Turkey, left 16 injured after a former student opened fire before killing himself.
A 19-year-old former student opened fire at a high school in Turkey’s southeastern Sanliurfa province on Tuesday, injuring at least 16 people before taking his own life, news agency Reuters reported, citing governor of the province Hasan Sildak.
The attack took place in the Siverek district, where the assailant, armed with a shotgun, reportedly began shooting in the school yard before entering the building and continuing the assault.
The governor said the attacker fired indiscriminately, targeting anyone in his path. Security camera footage showed him shooting in corridors as students and staff fled in panic. A witness described scenes of chaos, with people screaming and running for safety as the gunman opened fire.
“He started shooting at anyone who came in front of him, and then with the students’ screams, the teachers’ screams, everyone immediately scattered”, the witness told Reuters.
Warning: Disturbing content. Viewer discretion advised.
Police moved in to apprehend the suspect, but he killed himself before he could be detained. The official said the suspect had no prior criminal record and that the school had previously been classified as safe.
Of those injured, 10 are students, four are teachers, one is a police officer, and another is a school canteen employee. The wounded were taken to nearby hospitals, with five later shifted to facilities in Sanliurfa city for further treatment. One teacher remains in serious condition, according to hospital authorities.
