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Grief and unanswered questions after gun attack in Prague leaves 13 dead

Grief and unanswered questions after gun attack in Prague leaves 13 dead

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Grief and unanswered questions after gun attack in Prague leaves 13 dead
Grief and unanswered questions after gun attack in Prague leaves 13 dead

In Prague's historic heart, a chilling tragedy unfolded at the Faculty of Philosophy, part of Charles University. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan confirmed the cruel fate of 13 individuals, which included the gunman and his victims. Previously, rumors pointed to 15 fatalities, but the actual toll fell short.

Reports of self-inflicted death by the shooter, a student at Charles University, emerged on Friday. Several of his fellow students shared this grim fate. Three of the 25 wounded were foreigners: one Dutch national, according to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Initial investigations suggested no ties to international terrorism, making the gunman a solitary figure in this bloodshed. With no previous police records, the shooter amassed a sizable arsenal, doting on deadly weaponry and ammunition.

Police Chief Martin Vondrasek disclosed that the shooter found inspiration from a horrendous event that had occurred in Russia, autumn-time. Regretfully, he refrained from divulging further information.

The Faculty of Philosophy became a crime scene in Prague, with its main building being searched by officers. Given the situation, they were anticipating finding the 24-year-old within lectures. However, the suspect made an unexpected move, infiltrating another building and evading capture.

The first word of the shots came around three in the afternoon, with the rapid reaction force promptly arriving within twelve minutes. Locating the shooter's body ensued around 3:20 PM. The ensuing days saw the police continuing their work at the crime scene, bolstering evidence and furthering their inquiry.

An emotional landscape was painted near Prague's Charles Bridge, where mourners honored their lost ones. An outpouring of tributes in the form of hundreds of candles filled the area, with the Czech Government announcing a National Day of Mourning for the following day.

As the grief spilled over national borders, global leaders and organizations expressed their sorrow and support. Germany's Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock extended their condolences, as did the United States, France, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

(Enrichment Insights:

The adherent motive behind the gun attack and its inspiration remain unidentified. However, investigations pointed to a few specifics:

  1. Identity of the Shooter: The gunman's identity was revealed to be a 24-year-old student at Charles University. His father was discovered dead in Hostoun, west of Prague, days prior to the attack.
  2. Self-inflicted Death: The gunman was found to have died by suicide at the crime scene.
  3. Inspiration from Russia: The shooter was believed to have been influenced by a similar event that occurred in Russia.
  4. Digital Footprint: Police are conducting an investigation into the shooter's digital footprint to understand any potential connections to the attack.
  5. Previous Incident at Home: The shooter was reportedly involved in his father's death in their hometown before committing the gun attack.
  6. Security Measures: Following the shootings, heightened security measures were implemented at various places, particularly schools, in Prague and the surrounding area.)

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