MONITORING (SW) – The Czech Republic has declared a day of mourning following a tragic incident where a 24-year-old student shot and killed his father. Subsequently, he carried out a mass shooting at his Prague university, resulting in the death of 14 people and injuries to 25 others, marking the country’s worst-ever mass shooting.
After a special cabinet meeting, President Petr Pavel announced that December 23 would be a day of mourning. In observance, flags on official buildings will be flown at half-mast, and people are urged to observe a minute of silence at noon.
“I would express my great sadness along with helpless anger at the unnecessary loss of so many young lives. I would like to express my sincere condolences to all relatives of the victims, to all who were at this tragic incident, the most tragic in the history of the Czech Republic.” Pavel said.
The shooting erupted on Thursday afternoon at the Charles University’s Faculty of Arts, across the river from Prague Castle and near other historic sites in the picturesque city including the 14th-century Charles Bridge.
Media images showed students evacuating the building with their hands in the air, and others perched on a ledge near the roof trying to hide from the attacker, while students barricaded classrooms with desks and chairs.
“I can confirm 14 victims of the horrible crime and 25 wounded, of which 10 seriously,” police chief Martin Vondrasek told reporters after the shooting.
All the victims were killed inside the building, he added. Media reports said at least some of them were the gunman’s fellow students.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that among the injured was a Dutch national.
United States’ President Joe Biden condemned the “senseless” attack and the White House said the US was ready to offer assistance.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “solidarity” with the Czech people, as did other European leaders including EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Later on Thursday, Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his 2-month-old daughter in Prague on December 15.
Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
