On Thursday, a devastating mass shooting occurred at Charles University in Prague, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and 25 injuries, marking it as the Czech Republic’s most lethal shooting incident in many years.
The suspected shooter, a 24-year-old man believed to have taken his own life, was identified by Czech Police Chief Martin Vondrášek. His identity remains unconfirmed due to the extent of his injuries, and his name has not been released. The suspect was reportedly a student at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts, where the shooting unfolded.
The motive behind this tragic event is still under investigation. The incident occurred at the Faculty of Arts building in the heart of Prague, an area frequented by tourists and near major landmarks, including Prague Castle.
The shooter is said to have traveled from Hostouň, his hometown village, to Prague. During the attack, many students took drastic measures to ensure their safety, including locking themselves in classrooms and, as depicted in a social media image, hiding on a ledge outside the building.
The university was conducting classes on the day of the shooting and was scheduled to commence its Christmas break on December 23, as per the university’s academic calendar.
Graduate student Jakob Weizman shared his harrowing experience during the tragic shooting at Charles University in Prague. While in a classroom with his professor, the 25-year-old heard noises resembling gunshots and screams. Reacting swiftly, Weizman and his professor secured the classroom door and used furniture to barricade it.
Weizman described the intense moments that followed: “I was under the desk, preparing for any scenario. It was uncertain whether the shooter would enter through the door or the window.” The situation remained tense until the police arrived, at which point he removed the barricade.
As he was led out of the building by authorities, Weizman recounted seeing blood on each level, describing the experience as deeply traumatizing. In a subsequent news briefing on Thursday night, Police Chief Martin Vondrášek updated the casualty figures, correcting the death toll to 14 from an earlier count of 15, and noted that 10 of the 25 injured individuals were in serious condition.
The community awaits further updates from the authorities, expected to be announced on Friday morning, as they try to come to terms with this devastating event.
Shooter may be linked to other killings
Prior to the tragic university shootings, authorities had received a tip about the shooter’s intent to travel to Prague with suicidal intentions, according to Police Chief Martin Vondrášek. Following this, there was a report of a deceased man found in Hostouň, a town about 13 miles (21 km) west of Prague, believed to be the father of the shooter.
Vondrášek noted that the police were aware of the shooter’s scheduled 2 p.m. CET lecture and had evacuated the building where it was supposed to occur. However, the shooting incident happened in a different building, catching the authorities off guard.
Adding to the complexity of the case, Czech authorities are investigating a possible connection between the gunman and a double homicide in Klanovice, a suburb of Prague, that occurred last week. This ongoing investigation seeks to determine any links between these incidents.
The police chief also mentioned that the shooter was a licensed gun owner and possessed several firearms. The authorities continue their in-depth investigation into these series of events.
Country declares day of mourning
The Czech Republic is set to observe a national day of mourning this Saturday to honor the lives lost in the recent university shooting, as announced in a late Thursday joint news conference by country officials.
Czech President Petr Pavel expressed his profound sorrow and frustration at the tragedy. “I want to express my deep sadness and also helpless anger over the loss of so many young lives,” he said. He described the event as “the most tragic incident in the history of the Czech Republic.”
During the day of mourning, flags will be flown at half-staff, and a minute of silence will be observed nationwide at noon. Additionally, bells will toll across the country in memory of the victims, as stated by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
Fiala earlier assured the public that the shooting was an isolated incident and there was no further danger. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan clarified that the event was not considered an act of terrorism.
In response to the incident, Charles University implemented immediate heightened security measures and canceled all university events for Thursday and Friday. The university, in a statement posted on X, also requested a considerate approach to any exams or credit assessments scheduled for Friday.
The university’s statement urged calm and offered condolences to those grieving: “We now ask everyone to try to remain calm and composed, and we again extend our condolences to all those whose hearts have been broken by the loss of loved ones.”
Gun laws in the Czech Republic are relatively liberal compared to the rest of the European Union, but such attacks are uncommon. To legally own a gun, individuals must have an official firearm license, which requires a medical examination, a weapon proficiency exam, and a clean criminal record.
Official police statistics indicate that over 300,000 people in the Czech Republic have legal permits to own guns. As of 2022, there were almost 1 million legally owned weapons registered in the country.
In December 2019, the Czech Republic witnessed a tragic event when a 42-year-old man fatally shot six individuals in a hospital waiting room in Ostrava, located in the eastern part of the country, and subsequently took his own life.
Similarly, in 2015, another tragic incident occurred when a man embarked on a shooting spree in a restaurant in Uhersky Brod, resulting in the deaths of eight people, followed by the shooter’s suicide.
