Chaos erupted at Charles University in Prague Thursday when a student gunman opened fire in the school's philosophy department, leaving at least 15 dead and 24 injured in the Czech Republic’s deadliest mass shooting to date. Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek confirmed to AP News that the suspected shooter was a student and an "excellent student" at that, but further details about him have been withheld.
The violent spree reportedly began with the killing of the suspect's father in his hometown of Hostoun before traveling to the university in downtown Prague. Authorities are still piecing together the events of the day. According to KENS 5, Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan stated that there is no suspected link to any extremist ideology or groups involved in this tragedy.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes of evacuation and individuals attempting to find cover. Pavel Nedoma, director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, told KENS 5 that he saw someone standing on a balcony of the building and shooting a gun.
Czech President Petr Pavel expressed he was shocked by the events and extended condolences to the families of the victims. The police are continuing their search for possible explosives in the area and the university building remains evacuated as of now, Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda said in the statement obtained by KENS 5.
Although the suspect sustained "devastating injuries," it remains unclear whether he took his own life or was shot by police during an exchange of gunfire. Vondrasek added that there is nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice, in an interview with AP News.
The investigation is ongoing.
