Prague shooting: More than 15 dead and dozens injured as police confirm gunman 'eliminated'

Prague police

Police take security measures as several people were killed and injured in a shooting incident near a university in Prague

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George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 21/12/2023

- 15:01

Updated: 21/12/2023

- 17:20

Police confirm 'dead and injured at the scene'

A least 15 people are believed to be dead following a shooting at a university in Prague.

The gunman was a 24-year-old student at Charles University and from a village 21km (13m) outside Prague, the Czech police president has said.



Officer say the shooter's "lifeless body" was found following the incident and it thought he was inspired by similar massacres that have taken place abroad.

Another 24 people were also injured at a site of the shooting.

Officers on a roof

Armed police are seen on the balcony of the Charles University in central Prague

MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Image


Police say the mass shooting is not currently being treated as a terrorist attack and the suspect's father was found dead earlier today.

At the time of the incident, a spokesperson from Czech police said: "We are currently responding to a reported shooting at a school in Náměstí Jan Palach.

"At the moment, all components of the IZS are going to the place.

"At the moment, there is a police intervention on the spot, the entire Náměstí Jan Palach and the surrounding area is completely closed.

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A police officer

A police officer cordons off an area near the Charles University in central Prague

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"Based on initial information, we can confirm that there are dead and injured people at the scene. We urge citizens not to stay in the immediate vicinity and not to leave the house. The police intervention is still ongoing."

Later, officers confirmed that the shooter had been "eliminated".

The spokesperson added: "The shooter has been eliminated. The entire building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens of injured."

Czech Charles University told staff in an email to "stay put" and lock the doors following a report of a shooting at one of its buildings in Prague.

An email sent to staff at the Philosophy Faculty of Charles University said: "Stay put, don't go anywhere, if you're in the offices, lock them and place furniture in front of the door, turn off the lights."

Police officer

A police officer secures the area following the shooting at one of the buildings of Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic

Reuters

Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda said the philosophy department of Charles University, which is located at the square, has been evacuated.

Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said on Czech public television there was no other shooter at the scene and there was no imminent further danger.

Rakusan has urged people to cooperate with the police.

The police have sealed off the square and the area adjacent to the university building.

The building is located in a busy part of town that has a popular street leading tourists to Old Town Square.

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