14.01 ESTSummary of the day
A 24-year-old student opened fire at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts building in central Prague.
At least 15 people, including the shooter, were killed and 24 injured in the unprecedented shooting, which shocked the Czech Republic.
Students and faculty barricaded themselves while waiting to be evacuated.
The Czech prime minister, Petr Fiala, said “there is no justification for this horrific act.”
The country’s interior minister, Vít Rakušan, said “there is no indication this crime has any connection with international terrorism.”
The suspect was inspired by similar shootings abroad, according to Czech police.
Leaders across Europe sent their condolences.
Charles University said mourners can come pay their respects.
“This space is open to all who seek a place for remembrance and mutual support in these difficult moments.”
In connection with today's tragic attack at the Faculty of Arts of CU, we would like to inform all mourners about the possibility of expressing their remembrance in front of the Rectorate of Charles University at Ovocný trh 3, Prague 1. pic.twitter.com/DencCbVm0J
— Charles University (@CharlesUniPRG) December 21, 2023The British ambassador in Prague has shared contact information for UK nationals in need of assistance.
Terrible news from the centre of Prague. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this serious incident. Thanks to 🇨🇿 emergency services for a quick response.
UK nationals needing consular assistance can contact the Embassy via: https://t.co/OyTPPhusGY phone + 420 257 402 111
— Matt Field (@MattFieldUK) December 21, 2023Czech officials are pleading with the public not to spread unverified information on today’s shooting.
Prosím, nesdílejte neověřené informace o dnešní tragické události. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/UZ64FBhSPL
— Vít Rakušan (@Vit_Rakusan) December 21, 2023'No justification': Czech prime minister addresses citizens following deadly shooting
Czech prime minister, Petr Fiala, delivered a short address this evening, after at least 15 people were killed in a shooting at a university in central Prague.
In a social media post, he said:
Dear fellow citizens, I turn to you at this very difficult time.
We have all been deeply affected today by the news of the tragic attack on the Faculty of Arts in the centre of Prague.
There is no justification for this horrific act. Like many of you, I feel deep sadness and disgust in the face of this sickening violence.
Once again, I express my sincere condolences to the loved ones of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to all those injured.
Vážení spoluobčané, obracím se na vás v této velmi těžké chvíli. Všechny nás dnes hluboce zasáhla zpráva o tragickém útoku na FF UK v centru Prahy.
Pro tento hrůzný čin neexistuje žádné ospravedlnění. Stejně jako řada z vás cítím hluboký smutek a znechucení tváří v tvář tomuto… pic.twitter.com/1KjnQyYlcR
— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) December 21, 2023Czech police tells foreign embassies that it is still working to verify the identities of the victims of today’s shooting in Prague.
Information for embassies from the Czech Police: “If a foreign national is among the victims, we will proactively contact you. We are still working on the ground at this time to verify the identities.” https://t.co/5UUYjTjSUF
— Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@CzechMFA) December 21, 2023What we know thus far
Here is what we know thus far about today’s deadly shooting in the Czech Republic:
More than 15 people were killed and 24 injured in a shooting in central Prague this afternoon.
The incident took place at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts building in Jan Palach Square.
Police first got reports of the attack at 14:59 local time.
First responders arrived within minutes.
Students and faculty were told to lock themselves in rooms, place furniture in front of doors and turn off the lights. They were later evacuated from the building.
Czech police said the suspected perpetrator was a 24-year-old Charles University student who was inspired by similar shootings abroad.
The police found the body of the suspect’s father in a house in a small town west of Prague earlier in the day, and ordered the evacuation of a university building in the capital where the suspect was scheduled to attend a lecture.
Nevertheless, the suspect opened fire in a different building and was then reported to have been found dead at 15:20.
Here’s a map showing the location of today’s shooting in central Prague.
Police evacuated a university building, but suspect opened fire at a different one, police president says
Czech police president, Martin Vondrášek, said in a briefing that the suspect, a 24 year-old Charles University student, was supposed to leave his house in Hostoun, a small town west of Prague, to go to school.
The police chief outlined how events unfolded:
At 12:40, the police found his father’s lifeless body in the house.
The police then found out the suspect was supposed to have a lecture at the university at 14:00, went there and ordered evacuation of that building.
However, the suspect went to a different university building, where he opened fire.
The police first received information about that attack at 14:59.
First officers arrived at the scene within minutes, a Swat team within 12 minutes.
At 15:20, the police received information that the shooter’s lifeless body was lying on a ledge of the building.
While the shooter appears to have committed suicide, police officers also fired shots, so it’s not clear what was the suspect’s immediate cause of the death.
Ladka Bauerova reported from Prague
Petr Honzejk, deputy editor-in-chief of Czech daily Hospodářské noviny, writes that today’s shooting is a “national tragedy.”
“A mass shooting of this scale is unprecedented in our history,” he added.
Updated at 13.27 EST21 Dec 202312.12 EST“It was a premediated violent attack,” Czech police president Martin Vondrášek said at a briefing.
Ladka Bauerova reported from Prague
Here’s an image from Prague earlier today.
No indication of link to international terrorism, minister says
Speaking at the press briefing, Czech interior minister Vít Rakušan said “there is no indication this crime has any connection with international terrorism.”
Ladka Bauerova reported from Prague
Shooter was a university student, police says, reporting more than 15 dead
The perpetrator of today’s shooting was a 24 year-old Charles University student, according to Czech police.
The police president, Martin Vondrášek, said at a press briefing that there are more than 15 people dead and 24 injured, but that these may not be final numbers.
The perpetrator was inspired by similar shootings abroad, the police president said.
Ladka Bauerova reported from Prague
A newlywed British couple told PA about their experience in Prague today.
Tom Leese and his wife Rachael were having a drink close to where the shooting took place.
Leese said:
A policeman came in and started shouting loudly in what I assume was Czech.
I asked for it in English and he said there was an active shooter and to stay inside and stay down.
The staff were very calm, turned all the lights off very quickly and urged us to stay calm, the restaurant was relatively quiet.
The policeman left urgently and we stood in the corner of the restaurant.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEoKyaqpSerq96wqikaK%2Bfp7mle8uirZ5nYmV%2FdHvDnppoamFkvbC4wKebZpyfo66tsIytrKyjXZy8t7HRp6SepqRiwLWt055kpp2Unq5uv8CcoqxlpKt6s63DoqZmppWswG6uzqyqnqtdmsKzu8%2BeZKWZpJrAtXnUqZuarJWo