A former student opened fire at his high school in southeast Turkey on Tuesday, injuring at least 16 people before killing himself, an official said.
Armed with a shotgun, the 18-year-old assailant opened fire at a vocational high school in Siverek, Sanliurfa province, before taking cover inside the structure. Gov. Hasan Sildak stated that he subsequently used the same firearm to end his own life.
Sildak said the incident injured ten pupils, four professors, a canteen worker, and a police officer. He added that authorities moved five of the injured instructors and students to a hospital in the provincial capital due to the severity of their conditions, while most others received treatment in Siverek.
The attack’s motivation is yet unknown since school shootings in Turkey are uncommon.
According to earlier media accounts, after the attacker refused to turn himself in, all pupils were evacuated and police special operations teams were called in.
“The individual was cornered inside the building through police intervention and died after shooting himself,” Sildak told reporters, adding that a “comprehensive” investigation into the shooting would be carried out.
A video footage cited by NaijaEyes showed dozens of students running out of the school toward the gate and onto the street.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
