In response to a devastating shooting at Charles University in Prague, where a gunman took the lives of 14 people and injured 25, the Czech Republic has declared Saturday a national day of mourning. President Petr Pavel expressed profound sorrow and a sense of helpless anger at the tragic and unnecessary loss of life.
The gunman, a 24-year-old student at the university who has been “eliminated” by police, is believed to have randomly opened fire in the corridors and classrooms of the Faculty of Arts building. Shocking footage shared on social media captured the chaos, with people seeking refuge by jumping from an exterior ledge several stories high.
Police discovered a significant arsenal of weapons and ammunition, despite the gunman having no prior criminal record. The incident unfolded after the police received a report that the suspect, en route from a nearby town to Prague, intended to harm himself. Shortly thereafter, the suspect’s father was found dead.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed the nation’s shock and condemned the horrendous act, declaring Saturday as a day of mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast on public buildings, and a minute’s silence will be observed at midday. Various sports and cultural events have been canceled as a mark of respect.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, though police mentioned unconfirmed information suggesting inspiration from a similar incident in Russia. Additionally, the gunman is suspected in the killing of a young man and his two-month-old daughter found dead in a forest on the outskirts of Prague on December 15.
Founded in 1347, Charles University, the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic, now grapples with one of the worst mass shootings in recent European history. The tragedy has left the nation in mourning, with citizens lighting candles and leaving flowers near the scene to pay tribute to the victims.
