The police in the Czech Republic have tightened security measures around schools and other public buildings across the country and have canceled all classes at Charles University in the capital, Prague, today, following the shooting incident where a student killed 13 at the university yesterday. This shooting incident marks the worst of its kind in the history of the Czech Republic, a country where random shootings are rare, despite many possessing firearms for sport and hunting.
Interior Minister Vít Rakušan announced that the police have identified the victims, none of whom are foreigners. The ministry reported that two Emiratis and one Dutch national are among the injured. Rakušan told public television, "There are 13 dead. One of the deceased is the shooter himself." Authorities previously stated that the number of fatalities in the university shooting was 14.
Residents have lit candles outside the university's headquarters in downtown Prague since last night, and university presidents plan to express their condolences there today for the victims. The police stated on X, formerly Twitter, "Starting today, we will begin implementing preventive measures nationwide regarding easily targeted sites and schools." They added, "We have no information about any specific threat. This is an indication of our presence and readiness." No new information has been provided about the condition of the injured from the attack.
The 24-year-old shooter died yesterday in the university building. The police suggested he may have either committed suicide or was shot by their officers. The police reported yesterday that the assailant, who was armed with a licensed rifle and has no criminal record, is a student at Charles University's Faculty of Arts where the shooting took place. The police also mentioned that the suspect, whose name has not been released, killed his father at their home outside Prague before coming to the city.
Authorities received information about his intention to commit suicide and were searching for him in another building at the university where he was supposed to attend a lecture. However, the shooter instead went to the main building of the Faculty of Arts, which is not far from a tourist area. The government has declared a day of national mourning for tomorrow, Saturday.
Police chief Martin Vondrášek stated yesterday that the police are verifying unconfirmed information about a potential link between the shooter and a social media account that is inspired by mass shootings in Russia.
