Turkey: School shooting leaves 9 dead

A school shooting in Turkey’s southern Kahramanmaras region claimed the lives of nine individuals, according to local governor Mukerrem Unluer. The incident occurred on Wednesday, marking the second such attack in a day, following a similar event in Sanliurfa province that left 16 people wounded. The assailant, a student, reportedly used firearms from his father’s collection to target two classrooms, resulting in random casualties.

“A student came to school with guns that we believe belonged to his father in his backpack. He entered two classrooms and opened fire randomly, causing injuries and deaths,” Unluer stated to reporters.

Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci noted that 13 others were injured, six of whom were in critical condition. The attacker, who was also killed, is believed to have taken his own life after the shooting. Local media identified the school as Ayser Calik Middle School in the Onikisubat district. Unluer disclosed the attacker was an eighth-grade student, aged 13 to 14, who arrived with five firearms and seven ammunition magazines.

The motive for Tuesday’s attack remains unclear, though Ciftci described it as a “personal” occurrence. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek confirmed an investigation has been initiated. School shootings are rare in Turkey, and the rapid succession of incidents has raised concerns about the frequency of such tragedies.